Leeds United return to the Premier League for the first time since they were relegated in 2023. The club had one of the best Championship seasons in recent years.
The attack produced 95 goals, with the team reaching a 100 points. But the task ahead next season will not be an easy one – the last two years have seen all newly-promoted sides going down to the Championship.
Leeds fans will be hoping the recruitment this summer can help the club close the gap. Daniel Farke will have a huge role to play next season.
QUIZ: Can you name the season these 10 Leeds United shirts are from?
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Leeds United testing out tactical tweaks
In the first pre season game against Manchester United, Leeds played a 4-3-3 shape. They spent the past two seasons under Daniel Farke playing in the 4-2-3-1 system.
Reports have shown that the team have continued to play this system in their last two friendlies behind closed doors.
Daniel Farke explains reason behind decision
Credit: Imago
Farke explains that the reason he is trying out a number of tweaks to the system is because he wants to be flexible. That would provide the club with much more options in a league as difficult as the Premier League.
“I want to be flexible. I’m not a big believer in a special base formation,” explained Farke (via Leeds Live). “I’m not so addicted to base formation. I’m more addicted to principles, to bring our principles on the pitch. And we want to be flexible.
“There are different challenges. There will be games and you know when perhaps we don’t expect too much possession and when you have to travel to Arsenal or to Liverpool, and then it’s a slightly different game than perhaps a home game against another promoted side.
“So for that we we need different options and in order to bring our principles on the pitch. Last season we played very often in a similar base formation, not always exactly the same, but similar. That was due to the fact that we always are winning games and when we are winning games. I also don’t want to to disturb my players too much by just proving how flexible we are. So when I win games then I prefer this.”
Tactical tweak could help Leeds survive
Daniel Farke’s switch could see the club earn more points in the top flight. Many teams have been promoted and stuck to their way or style, but become exposed because of the quality. If a team has multiple ways of playing, it is much more difficult to find how to stop them.
