Leeds United have made a steady start to life back in the Premier League. They have eight points from seven league games and have looked more competitive and resilient at the top level than most promoted teams from recent years
Several of their new signings have come to the fore to help Leeds reach the next level, and their recruitment team deserve credit for identifying the profile of players the team needed to compete in the Premier League.
However, the evolution of the team means several players from last season, who got Leeds promoted to the Premier League, have lost prominence in the squad, and some are struggling to remain even on the fringes of the team
Ao Tanaka is fighting hard to return to the starting eleven after losing his place to Sean Longstaff and could get his chance after the break, if Daniel Farke decides to bring in something different in his midfield.
However, Sam Byram has more or less lost his place in the squad after playing a key role in helping get Leeds promoted from the Championship last season.
Sam Byram has played just seven minutes of league football for Leeds United
Sam Byram was ready to return to playing in the Premier League with Leeds in the summer when the club announced a one-year extension to his contract.
It seemed the defender was going to be a key member of the squad, and his experience would come in handy from the bench for Daniel Farke in the top flight.
However, Byram has made just one Premier League appearance from the bench for seven minutes and has not even made the matchday squads since the 5-0 defeat at Arsenal.
Gabriel Gudmundsson has nailed down the left-back slot, and James Justin arrived to provide quality back-up to Jayden Bogle at right-back and at left-back.
Byram is now on the periphery of the squad, with little to no prospect of playing football for Leeds anytime soon, given his pecking order in the squad.
Should Leeds allow him to leave in January?
Byram was valued last season when Leeds didn’t have quality back-ups in the squad, and he played a considerable amount of football in their promotion push.
However, he is firmly on the fringes of the squad, and it is not certain when he is going to get his next minutes, as Leeds are also out of the EFL Cup.
Unless there are injuries, Byram is not expected to play again until at least the FA Cup in January, and he is unlikely to be too happy about the situation.
He is also on the same boat as Illan Meslier, with their contracts running out next season, and no club willing to pay a fee for them in the winter window.
If Byram is keen to push for a move in the winter window, he will have to convince Leeds to let him leave on a free transfer in January, six months before his contract expires.
Leeds should do the right thing and let him leave as a free agent if Byram can find a club in January.
Can you name these 10 former Leeds United strikers?
