Five games into the Premier League season, there is enough evidence to start judging how Leeds United’s squad is shaping up.
Some of the summer arrivals have wasted little time making an impression, while a few players expected to play bigger roles have had to wait for their opportunities. Injuries have also changed the picture, particularly at centre-back.
This is not a ranking based purely on reputation or ability. It reflects each player’s contributions so far, how important they are to Daniel Farke, and where they currently sit in the pecking order.
So, starting from the bottom, here is my ranking of Leeds’ 22 senior players.
22. Michael Zetterer
Zetterer has had virtually no opportunity to make his case after his error-prone debut in the EFL Cup at Chelsea. James Trafford has taken the No.1 shirt and made an excellent start, leaving the summer signing waiting patiently for his chance.
21. Alex Cairns
Much the same applies to Cairns. He remains an experienced and dependable squad goalkeeper, but with Trafford firmly established and Zetterer ahead of him, there has been little opportunity to make an impact.
20. Ilia Gruev
Gruev’s position is largely down to circumstances. His injury disrupted his start to the season and, although he is working his way back, he has not yet been able to challenge for a regular starting place.
19. Jean-Matteo Bahoya
Bahoya has shown encouraging glimpses, particularly his pace and directness. His ankle injury while on France Under-21 duty has unfortunately interrupted his progress just as he was beginning to make an impression.
18. Lukas Nmecha
Nmecha has struggled to establish himself with Dominic Calvert-Lewin ahead of him. He has useful qualities, but Leeds need more from him when opportunities arrive if he is going to climb the pecking order.
17. Melvin Bard
Bard has been solid without quite becoming indispensable. He gives Farke another experienced defensive option and can be trusted when required, but several teammates have made a bigger impression so far.
16. Dan James
This is probably lower than James would have expected at this stage.
His pace remains a major weapon, and he can still cause problems when introduced, but he has not done enough to force his way into Farke’s strongest XI. With competition for attacking places increasing, James needs to turn his opportunities into something more.
15. Sean Longstaff
Longstaff has not yet nailed down a regular starting place, but his Premier League experience makes him a useful option. He has the ability to climb this ranking if he can turn his opportunities into a consistent run in the team.
14. Harry Wilson
Wilson has probably had the most underwhelming start among Leeds’ major summer arrivals.
There have been flashes of his quality, but he is yet to score or assist and has not firmly established himself as a regular starter. His injury has not helped, but once fit, he needs to start producing.
13. Nico Elvedi
Elvedi has done very little wrong since arriving. He looks comfortable in Farke’s system and has provided plenty of defensive reliability.
His problem is the competition around him. Muharemovic has emerged quickly, while Bijol offers Farke another physical option.
12. Ao Tanaka
Tanaka remains one of the squad’s more dependable players. He is technically sound, intelligent in possession and capable of operating in different midfield roles.
He may not attract the same attention as some of the new arrivals, but Farke knows exactly what he gets from him.
11. Jaka Bijol
Bijol has not played as much as some of his defensive teammates, but his physical presence could become increasingly important.
With Joe Rodon injured, Farke may need Bijol’s aggression and experience in some of the more demanding Premier League fixtures.
10. Noah Okafor
Okafor has made a decent start but hasn’t quite reached the level of some of Leeds’ other summer arrivals. His pace and directness give Farke something different in attack, and there have been flashes of the player Leeds hoped to get.
The next step is consistency. Okafor needs to turn those promising moments into goals, assists and performances that make him difficult to leave out. He has enough ability to climb this ranking quickly, but he has more to prove than some of his teammates.
9. Brenden Aaronson
Aaronson continues to offer plenty of energy, movement and pressing. The issue is what happens when he gets into the final third.
He has yet to provide the kind of goals and assists that would make his place unquestionable. The qualities are there, but Leeds need more production.
8. Gabriel Gudmundsson
Gudmundsson has made a promising start to life at Leeds. His energy and willingness to contribute at both ends have made him a useful part of Farke’s system, while his versatility gives the manager another tactical option.
7. Jayden Bogle
Bogle has been one of the more eye-catching players going forward. His attacking contribution has already made a difference and he looks increasingly confident getting into dangerous areas.
If he can maintain that output while becoming more consistent defensively, he can climb even higher.
6. James Justin
Justin has quietly become one of Farke’s most trusted players. His versatility is hugely valuable and he brings the kind of experience that helps a newly promoted side navigate the Premier League.
He does not always grab the headlines, but his consistency matters.
5. Ethan Ampadu
The captain remains central to Leeds’ plans.
Ampadu’s ability to play in defence or midfield gives Farke tactical flexibility, while his leadership becomes even more important with Rodon unavailable. He is one of those players whose importance is perhaps greater than his individual numbers suggest.
4. Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Calvert-Lewin has made an excellent start to his Leeds career.
His goals are obviously important, but his overall contribution is what makes him so valuable. He gives Leeds an outlet, occupies defenders and brings the players around him into the game.
After years of searching for a reliable Premier League focal point, Leeds finally seem to have one.
3. Anton Stach
Stach has been one of the biggest risers of the opening weeks.
He has brought physicality, energy and composure to midfield and already looks completely comfortable at Premier League level. Farke clearly trusts him, and it is difficult to see him being left out of the strongest XI right now.
2. James Trafford
There was plenty of pressure on Trafford when he arrived, particularly given the expectations surrounding his move.
He has responded brilliantly. Trafford has looked confident, composed and increasingly authoritative behind the defence. Leeds needed their new goalkeeper to settle quickly, and he has done exactly that.
1. Tarik Muharemovic
Muharemovic has been one of the season’s biggest revelations.
The 23-year-old has looked remarkably composed for someone experiencing Premier League football for the first time, while his physicality and ability to defend in Farke’s system have been particularly encouraging.
The fact that some of Europe’s biggest clubs are already reportedly watching him tells you how quickly his reputation is growing.
Dan James, in particular, has plenty of time to change the conversation. If he can rediscover his best form and start producing more regularly, he could climb this list quickly. The same applies to Wilson, Aaronson and Longstaff.
Five games in, Farke already faces some difficult decisions. That is probably a good problem for Leeds to have.
