Leeds United’s best XI and bench after three new signings and 12 player departures

To start the season, Leeds will meet Portsmouth for the first time in 12 years after their League One title-winning campaign, but know it’s a good chance to quickly put the Championship play-off final tear behind them.

As well as the likes of Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter still here, Leeds have also brought in three new signings so far this summer.

Following the recent transfer developments at Elland Road, here’s the best Leeds XI and our current bench as the new season fast approaches.

porter

Illan Meslier could well be on his way out of Leeds before the end of the window, but he’s still here and likely to remain number one. New signing Alex Cairns will be third choice.

Defense

With the likes of Gray, Jamie Shackleton and Connor Roberts missing, Leeds are a little short at full-back at the moment. Rasmus Kristensen’s future remains up in the air, so Sam Byram gets the nod for now.

On the other flank, Leeds are effectively set to block Junior Firpo’s involvement at the Olympics, despite the Dominican Republic naming him in their squad. As such, he begins.

Following his £10million return from Tottenham Hotspur, Joe Rodon will be able to rekindle his partnership with Pascal Struijk for the first time since Boxing Day following the Dutchman’s recovery from injury. Max Wober is in the same situation as Kristensen.

Middle

Leeds are once again well-stocked in midfield following the capture of Joe Rothwell on loan on Thursday, but it is hard to see Daniel Farke moving away from his first-choice pairing.

After spending the second half of last season covering at centre-back, Ethan Ampadu simply needs to return to a midfield role at the start of the campaign.

Despite speculation linking him with an exit, Glen Kamara should be the man to partner him, with Ilia Gruev and Rothwell solid options from the bench.

Attack

With Jaidon Anthony the only team going forward at this stage, Farke is absolutely spoiled for choice in the top four.

Brenden Aaronson’s return to the team gives him a major headache in the number 10 role, but it would be a surprise if Rutter was moved out of that position right now.

Willy Gnonto and Summerville are both still at the club and so are the preferred wide pairing to start the season. Mateo Joseph should get a chance to start as the first-choice forward.

Best XI: Tradesman; Byram, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Ampadu, Kamara; Gnonto, Rutter, Summerville; JOSEPH

The bank: Darlow, Kristensen, Wober, Gruev, Rothwell, James, Aaronson, Piroe, Bamford

Similar topics