An exodus was to be expected – dropping into the second tier all-but guaranteed the exits of some high profile players - and yet there was still room for surprises in terms of players who stayed to defy expectation and those who suddenly couldn’t wait to get out of Elland Road.
Leeds went into the summer quite prepared to say goodbye to some of those who did leave the club, although it wasn’t immediately clear just how many had relegation exit clauses that would facilitate loans or indeed how many would activate them. They also set their stall out to retain a number of players highlighted by 49ers Enterprises as key to the promotion charge. Max Wober, Tyler Adams, Willy Gnonto and Jack Harrison were among those Leeds desperately wanted to keep at Elland Road, believing retention to be just as key as incoming recruitment in some cases.
By the time the window shut last week, however, Wober, Adams and Harrison were long gone. Remaining were a small number of players who had been expected to go. Although the madness was not over with until deadline day itself, the recruitment Leeds got over the line helped to turn the summer narrative around from one of bitter negativity to relative contentment, albeit with left-back and number 10 wishes going unfulfilled. Daniel Farke’s squad now has a solid look to it. The German says he is pretty happy with how it has turned out and ultimately Leeds have rid themselves of individuals who had no desire to stay and fight, or even right the wrong for which they were partly responsible.
Prior to Farke’s appointment the YEP published predictions on how the squad rebuild would go, in terms of retention and exits, and here’s how we got on.

7. Junior Firpo
Best to move on, for all parties, is what we said yet to the surprise of many Firpo is still at Leeds. He's injured, but he's still at Leeds and expected to play a part for Farke this season. Photo: Stu Forster

8. Pascal Struijk
We wondered if a loan move might benefit him after a confidence-sapping season, but Farke sees his value and the centre-back is playing right now with Cooper out injured. Photo: Bruce Rollinson

9. Max Wober
There was a good chance he would remain, we felt, principally because that was the impression Leeds had. Wober soon changed his tune, however, and off he went on loan to Moenchengladbach. Don't expect an Elland Road comeback in this instance. Photo: UWE KRAFT

10. Leo Hjelde
Our prediction was that a permanent offer would have been considered and Leeds were indeed willing to listen to ideas late in the window, but nothing transpired and he stayed put. Photo: Jess Hornby

11. Robin Koch
A certain departure, was how it looked to us. There was too much noise about German national team ambition and 'interest' elsewhere. We got this one right, but did not predict the manner of his exit. Another loan clause activation special. Photo: Julian Finney

12. Diego Llorente
Another we felt would go, for reasons including poor performances and being a spare part late last season. Another who did go. Another who went on loan. Photo: Paolo Bruno

