Competition for places is the key to success and Leeds United are now pursuing that. Last season, their first XI rocked the Premier League and guided the Whites to a ninth-place finish, but if they want to improve on that they need to build a squad with quality and depth.
Such a squad is beginning to take place with a number of positions under debate, whilst a few star names are in danger of losing their spot in the side after a mediocre pre-season from Marcelo Bielsa’s side.
So, as we are now just three days out from the new season, today we’re looking at three Leeds players in danger of losing their place in the team this campaign.
Liam Cooper
Cooper may be the captain but his place in the side is by no means guaranteed. Now that Leeds have such quality options at centre-back with Pascal Struijk, Diego Llorente and Robin Koch, it would take some brilliant form from Cooper to remain in the side. He may offer leadership and was undoubtedly key to promotion, but the evolution of Marcelo Bielsa’s side could leave him behind as there is no question he lacks the pace necessary to keep up with some of the Premier League’s best attackers.
Luke Ayling
Ayling is an underrated gem of a player. He was solid in the Premier League last year and is a huge character within the team, but even his place in the side is under threat and that’s due to the promise of Cody Drameh. The 19-year-old has been subject to plenty of hype in recent months and many expect him to one day play for England. That may be a way off right now but he could soon be pushing Ayling for a place in the side having impressed for the Whites under-23 team since joining from Fulham 12 months ago.
Patrick Bamford
This one might surprise you but there’s a common consensus amongst Leeds United fans that Rodrigo could be set for a huge year. When fit last term he showed real promise and if he can avoid injuries this season he could become impossible to drop. But right now, it seems that there’s no natural place for the Spaniard in the side meaning he could potentially dislodge Bamford as the first-choice number nine. To do so would take some doing given Bamford finished last year as Leeds’ top scorer but the quality of Rodrigo means his place in the side is under significant threat. Bamford’s pressing game could well be his saving grace because although Rodrigo doesn’t quite match in that area, when it comes to finishing the former Valencia man holds a clear advantage.
