Leeds United to lose three first-team attackers this transfer window – BBC pundit
Former Leeds United defender Matthew Kilgallon has named the three attacking players he expects to seal a permanent Elland Road exit this summer.
In a recent interview, the BBC pundit told the Daily Mail [25 June, page 95] that Jack Harrison, Willy Gnonto and Rodrigo are the ones he sees leaving the club.
All three attackers were linked with the exit door even before relegation was confirmed and now the Whites will have a battle on their hands to keep them at the club.
Kilgallon said, “Players will leave and next season’s squad will be completely different.
“It will be built around stalwarts like Luke Ayling and Liam Cooper and youngsters such as Charlie Cresswell, Joe Gelhardt and Archie Gray.
“I’d be very surprised if Rodrigo, Willy Gnonto and Jack Harrison are still there next season.”
Bit weird
It really does not make sense to build a team around two players in their 30s just because they’re among the veterans in the squad.
They will have a huge dressing room influence but keeping them in the playing eleven will not be ideal as they’re only getting worse with each passing season.
Both Ayling and Cooper have done exceptionally well in the past, but in recent years, it’s pretty evident that they’re on the decline.
The new manager needs to rejuvenate the talented youngsters at Elland Road and bring in a few Championship-proven players in their prime and try getting some loan deals for Premier League level players.
There are links to Manchester United’s Amad Diallo and these are the kinds of players that need to be featuring regularly for the Whites next season.
It remains to be seen if Diallo does end up at Elland Road but it’s a sign of the kinds of players being targeted this summer.
In other Leeds United news, the club have been handed a boost to sign a Manchester United player this summer with Erik ten Hag likely to sanction his exit.