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Leeds United summer exits have been announced - and the club’s likely best XI and bench has a very different look to it from the one that finished the title-winning Championship campaign.
Leeds are heading back to the Premier League as Championship champions and the club submitted its retained list last weekend ahead of the new 2025-26 campaign.
Stand out news featured conformation that last season’s loan stars Manor Solomon and Joe Rothwell had returned to their parent clubs of Tottenham Hotspur and Bournemouth respectively.
Leeds also announced that midfielder Josuha Guilavogui would be leaving the club upon his contract expiring but that discussions were ongoing with Junior Firpo and Sam Byram - both of whom are out of contract this summer.
As such, the pair remain very much in the mix for a best XI and bench - unlike Solomon, Rothwell and Guilavogui - plus the young players leaving the club.
It all means a rather different likely best XI and bench - an idea of which we look at here.
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7. CM: Ao Tanaka
Joe Rothwell is one of the players 'going' having only been on loan from Bournemouth - unless Leeds can get him back of course. Without Rothwell, it's a choice of Tanaka or the very solid Ilia Gruev and Tanaka probably shades it. | Getty Images
8. RW: Dan James
United's official player of the year and another now set for another crack at the Premier League. First choice out wide. | Steven Paston/PA Wire
9. LW: Willy Gnonto
A case could be made for Jack Harrison who remains a Leeds United player in still only being on loan at Everton although it's hard to envisage him coming back. With Manor Solomon having only been at the club on loan from Tottenham, Gnonto is the clear call as things stand. | Mike Egerton/PA Wire
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10. ACM: Brenden Aaronson
Gnonto has played in the 10 role but Aaronson has long been first choice in the position and is another heading back for another crack at English football's top flight. | Getty Images
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11. ST: Joel Piroe
The Championship Golden Boot winner and clear first choice striker though a fascinating conundrum as a player yet to play any Premier League football. | Getty Images
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12. Sub: Illan Meslier
It's hard to know what happens next with Meslier but the Frenchman ended the season on the bench and is back-up keeper to Darlow as things stand. | Martin Rickett/PA Wire