Leeds United are gunning for promotion to the Premier League and are sitting at the summit of the Championship at this stage of the season. The owners are desperate to get back to the top flight as their plans for the club are dependent on them being a Premier League team. Daniel Farke and his players are pushing to right the wrongs of last season and get the team back to the big time next season. While Leeds have players in their squad who look Premier League-ready, they also have components in the team who could struggle to step up and could need to be moved on if they get promoted at the end of the campaign this year.
The Yorkshire giants just missed out on promotion last season after they were beaten in the playoff final by Southampton at Wembley on the big day of reckoning.
Leeds were a tad bit unlucky as they became the first side since 1998 to score 90 points but still missed out on promotion in a season that was an outlier in the Championship in so many ways.
The Whites are on course to score a similar haul this season and unlike last year, it would be good enough to get them automatic promotion back to the Premier League.
Leeds must be preparing behind the scenes and are assessing their squad carefully ahead of a potential return to the top flight at the end of the season.
They already possess players who look ready to fire in the Premier League but there are some individuals for whom playing in the top flight could be a step too far.
Five Leeds United players who will struggle in the top-flight
Illan Meslier – Leeds United need a better goalkeeper
There is no doubt that the French goalkeeper is under pressure at Leeds this season. His inconsistencies have finally caught up with him and there is a real clamour for him to get replaced between the sticks.
Daniel Farke could still place his trust in him and persevere with him for the rest of the season despite the noise surrounding his long-term future in the team. However, if Leeds are in the Premier League next season, he might not start next season as their number one.
Meslier’s confidence was shattered towards the end of Leeds’ relegation season in the Premier League and a return to the top flight could end his time at Elland Road.
There is already a demand for Leeds to find someone better than him in the winter window but the club are almost certain to try and sign an upgrade on Meslier in the summer.
Junior Firpo – Defensive frailties will get exposed
Firpo’s return from injury is good news for Leeds United and their promotion hopes this season. He is clearly the best left-back in the squad and was a key component of the team before the hamstring injury in December. However, is he the man for them in the Premier League?
His last sojourn in the Premier League was horrible. His defensive frailties were brutally exposed by top-level attackers and he lost his place in the team. Firpo is still an iffy defender in the Championship and could face the same issues in the Premier League.
The left-back’s contract expires at the end of the season and he would only consider extending his stay if Leeds get promoted. However, Leeds would do well to let him go and sign a more defensive-minded left-back in the summer as they would be doing a lot of defending next season if they are in the top flight.
Joe Rothwell – not good enough to be in the top-flight
Rothwell joined Leeds on loan from Bournemouth last summer and has been a solid signing for the club. Following the injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev, the 30-year-old formed a wonderful midfield partnership with Ao Tanaka and provided Leeds a solid base in the middle of the park.
Leeds do not have an option to buy him but some fans would want the player to stay at Elland Road beyond the end of the season. However, a return to the Premier League would likely kill that hope.
He struggled in the top flight with Bournemouth and they were happy to loan him out to the Championship in the summer. At 30, it makes little sense for Leeds to buy him if they are in the top flight next season.
Rothwell is a solid Championship player but has already shown, the Premier League is a step too high for him at this stage of his career.
Wilfried Gnonto – Struggling to impact games in the Championship
Gnonto is not having the greatest of seasons at Leeds United. Following the departures of Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter last summer, the Italian was expected to step up and become the main man in the forward line.
However, the winger has flattered to deceive and has lost his place in the team to Manor Solomon who joined Leeds on loan from Tottenham last summer.
It was not too long ago that Premier League clubs wanted to sign Gnonto but at his rate, he is unlikely to have any suitors from the top flight next season.
If things don’t improve for him drastically, Leeds are also likely to decide to bring in an upgrade on him if they reach the Premier League at the end of the season.
Brenden Aaronson – Question marks over his physical attributes
Aaronson decided to help Leeds get back to the Premier League after returning to the club from his poor loan spell at Union Berlin. He couldn’t wait to leave the Whites once they got relegated but has managed to win some of the fans back this season.
However, a return to the Premier League brings back old question marks about his ability to cut it in the top flight. He was a marquee signing of Leeds in the summer of 2022 but was one of the biggest disappointments in the season they got relegated from the top flight.
The United States international scored once and registered just three assists and looked physically unequipped to handle the intensity of the Premier League.
The question marks over his physical attributes remain relevant and he could again look out of place in the Premier League if Leeds return to the top flight.
