Leeds United have an air of positivity as they sit fifth in the table on nine points after the first five Premier League games of the season.
Several players have come to the fore early in the season, and few of the new signings have made a major impact on the team’s overall quality, especially at the back.
However, some players in the squad may be questioning where they stand after their start to the season and with the January transfer window just a few months away.
Daniel Farke may need to get ruthless this winter and push a few players out the door who don’t seem to be contributing on the pitch right now.
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£15m Leeds does not know when he will play next
Sean Longstaff arrived last year amidst much fanfare as Leeds thought they were securing a Premier League-proven midfielder for a decent fee.
He started his time at Leeds on fire and was one of the first names on Daniel Farke’s team sheets in the first few months of the 2025/26 season. However, an injury sidelined him.
By the time he was fit, Leeds had changed systems and were playing well. Longstaff never really found his starting eleven spot again at Elland Road.
A solid pre-season this summer led to a belief that the midfielder would regain his place in the team again this season. However, he has made just two substitute appearances in the Premier League and played just 10 minutes.
He started the two EFL Cup games, but his performance against Chelsea was alarming and killed any chances of him returning to the starting eleven soon.
Longstaff remains in the squad and will get another chance at some point. However, it remains to be seen whether he is happy to remain a bit-part player.
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He could leave in January
Leeds’ interest in Shea Charles in the summer showed Daniel Farke felt he could upgrade his midfield despite the numbers in the squad.
With Sean Longstaff struggling to play and at least three midfielders ahead of him in the pecking order, his future at Elland Road is in question.
The competition will get stiffer once Ilia Gruev is ready to return to the first-team fold after his recent Under-21 appearance.
There is a legitimate reason to think that Longstaff could move on from Leeds in the winter window in search of regular first-team football.
Leeds are likely to listen to offers for him if they can secure a replacement for Farke in the winter window.
