Daniel Farke must decide on Leeds United strongest XI during international break, 3 summer signings miss out
Leeds United fans can finally rest knowing what their squad will look like for the season up until January at least with the transfer window now closed.
The club saw 13 players leave after their relegation to the Championship, while seven were brought in with the final deals even going beyond the deadline thanks to a deal sheet.
But with just one win in the opening five Championship games of the season, Daniel Farke has some big decisions to make on his best lineup during the international break and how he plans to approach games once we’re back into the swing of things.
Karl Darlow was signed from Newcastle in goal, yet his only appearance so far came in the penalty shootout defeat to Salford in the EFL Cup and the manager has confirmed that Illan Meslier is his number one right now.
In defence two new full-backs were brought in with Djed Spence joining on loan and Sam Byram signing on a free transfer, but the likelihood is that when everyone is fit and firing it’s the loanee who will be in the starting lineup more often than not.
That would mean Luke Ayling is left out, but he could be joined on the sideline by another club stalwart in Liam Cooper. Charlie Cresswell signed a new deal to play regularly and alongside Joe Rodon he could form a formidable partnership with pace, physical power and a good ability on the ball.
On the left Junior Firpo never left and Leo Hjelde is still at Leeds, but with Spence on the right bombing on it could be in his best interests to move Pascal Struijk back to the left where he was at his best last season.
Having lost Marc Roca, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Adam Forshaw in the summer the midfield has to have a brand new look, and Farke brought in three new faces to supplement that.
Ethan Ampadu has already made himself indispensable in the centre of the pitch, and while he’s been partnered by Archie Gray so far the likelihood is the 17-year-old will see his minutes reduced going forward.
That’s because Glen Kamara has come in and with his top-flight experience and qualities he is a perfect foil to take the team up a level, even more so than Bulgaria international Ilia Gruev who will have to battle to get into the side.
In attack Jaidon Anthony was a last-minute arrival from Bournemouth following the exit of Luis Sinisterra in the other direction, and his qualities suit the Championship perfectly on the right hand side.
His pace, skill, eye for goal and work-rate mean he should fit in easily and having started the first three Premier League games for the Cherries, his quality shouldn’t be in doubt.
Alongside him there is no question that Wilfried Gnonto, Crysencio Summerville and Joel Piroe are the best options and provide a potentially Premier League level attacking unit to push for promotion.
Whether Farke opts for this as his strongest team remain to be seen, but he must make a decision on his best side over the next two weeks and stick with it to start getting results.
In other Leeds news, star rejected Saudi Arabia move as new contract talks mooted at Elland Road says Phil Hay.