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.

19. Lewis Bate
'Why not develop him at home?' was our question. As it turns out that's exactly what's happening, but only really because a loan could not be sorted prior to the deadline. Photo: Catherine Ivill

20. Darko Gyabi
We didn't see Under 21s football in his immediate future, we felt he would play this season but he hasn't kicked on as anticipated quite yet and the 21s might be his best chance of minutes for now. He wasn't leaving on a permanent, Leeds turned down offers. A loan felt possible for a while. Photo: Warren Little

21. Jamie Shackleton
His usefulness in the Championship was why we saw him staying. He's already proving it, filling in at left-back, right wing and at centre-mid so far. Shackleton never entertained the idea of moving on. Photo: Alex Davidson

22. Alfie McCalmont
We saw one final loan or a permanent deal because there was no realistic chance of game time at Leeds and the latter came to pass. Photo: George Wood

23. Sam Greenwood
'You could probably see him staying put' was how we put it. He's out on loan now with Middlesbrough. Perhaps now we'll discover what it is, in terms of position, that he's going to be. Photo: Jess Hornby

24. Archie Gray
First team minutes were 'inevitable' we said and having gone through a summer growth spurt to help with the physical side of things, he's started every game under Farke so far. Photo: George Wood

