Big name departures at Elland Road over the summer now seem inevitable following the club’s failure to seal an immediate return to the Premier League after their 2022-23 relegation. Leeds have Profit and Sustainability Rules to adhere to and chairman Paraag Marathe has already admitted to the YEP that there will be “certain trade-offs that we have to make.”
Fresh investment from new minority owners Red Bull will help on that front, finance expert Kieran Maguire telling the YEP that Red Bull’s cash injection would lessen the extent of a summer fire sale at Elland Road. But star men are fully expected to depart with Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto seemingly the two most likely.
United’s 2023-24 squad also featured four loanees. All in all, everything points to a much-changed best XI and bench, even without factoring in the prospect of new arrivals. Here, we run though our idea of the much changed new strongest Leeds team and nine substitutes, minus the club’s loanees from last season and Summerville and Gnonto on the assumption that they depart. Archie Gray and Georginio Rutter are two more stars likely to be in high demand.
1. GK: Illan Meslier
Definitely a player who could attract interest this summer but clear first choice keeper assuming he stays.Photo: Mike Hewitt
2. RB: Archie Gray
A host of big clubs are reportedly interested in Gray and that can't be any surprise. But in the hope that Leeds keep hold of the 18-year-old star, the next debate would be in which position to start him and whether to put the teen back in his natural centre midfield role. That largely depends on what other options Leeds are left with, and who comes through the door, but Gray has looked more than capable at right back.Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS
3. CB: Pascal Struijk
Struijk's season was ultimately ended by the groin injury that he suffered on the back of Boxing Day's defeat at Preston, for which surgery was required. There can be no doubt that he comes straight back into the best XI at centre-back when back fit, assuming he stays of course. Just a case of who partners him at the heart of the defence.Photo: George Wood
4. CB: Ethan Ampadu
Leeds will surely try to sign last season's Tottenham loanee star Joe Rodon who obviously makes the best XI if he ends up staying at Elland Road. But he's ultimately not Leeds United's player and, if he isn't here next season, Ampadu at centre back might be most likely given that captain Liam Cooper's contract is up this summer.Photo: Ed Sykes
5. LB: Junior Firpo
One of the more straightforward picks, for all that it might be wise to add to their squad at left back. But Firpo has been first choice since returning from injury and enjoyed a decent second half to the campaign so that one more or less picks itself at present.Photo: Jess Hornby
6. CM: Ilia Gruev
A player that you could see taking a big step forward next season in what would be his second year in English football.Photo: Jess Hornby