If Leeds United are promoted to the Premier League next season, they will have to improve upon their current squad.
There are definitely players who can survive in the league, but others will need to be upgraded. Marcelo Bielsa took a Leeds United squad to the Premier League in 2020 and made history. The Argentine coach guided the club to the highest points tally and goal tally among newly promoted clubs in the past 20 years. Players like Stuart Dallas, Ezgjan Alioski and Luke Ayling became standouts during their time in the Premier League.
Leeds United are gearing up for another promotion campaign this season, after losing multiple key players durin the summer. Archie Gray, Georginio Rutter and Crysencio Summerville left to Premier League clubs for huge fees. Daniel Farke made some additions in the summer that look to be paying off.
QUIZ: Can you name these past and present Leeds United players?
Leeds United star is just a squad player – Simon Rix
Credit: Imago Images
Manor Solomon, Largie Ramazani and Ao Tanaka were among the names that arrived at Elland Road this summer. Tanaka has been a revelation, and was even named Leeds United player of the month for October. The Japanese international has proven a capable deputy in the absence of Ethan Ampadu and Illia Gruev. Daniel Farke’s main midfield optins both suffered knee injuries within weeks of each other.
The squad has done pretty well under Daniel Farke, and sit in third place in the Championship, two points off the league leaders. Junior Firpo has been in the news a lot this season, with the main topic of discussion being his contract. The 28-year old’s current deal at the club runs out next summer, and he has not made it clear if he will stay. Firpo was great last season, as he provided seven assists. The defender is a valuable player in the team, but Leeds fan Simon Rix believes Firpo is just a squad player the team can do without next year:
“Firpo is really interesting. I think a lot of people would say no straight away to him starting, but last time in the Premier League, he never really had a run of games.” he said to BBC Sport.
“We don’t think he’s that good at defending but he does do some other good things, so for that reason I think he would be worth a go. But he is also out of contract so he might not even get the chance.”
Is Junior Firpo expendable?
The defender has proven himself a a very good player for the club over the past year. But now it looks like he is on his way out of the club. Some fans would be happy to see him go, but Firpo has served his time well. Leeds United have reportedly lined up Sunderland’s Dennis Cirkin as a possible replacement.
