Just 13 Premier League games remain this season and Leeds United find themselves well and truly embroiled in a battle for survival. The Whites are 17th in the Premier League, but goal difference is the only thing keeping them outside the bottom three at this moment in time.
However, as Javi Garcia’s influence grows at Elland Road, the Whites will be confident of pulling themselves out of danger and away from the relegation zone in the coming weeks. Gracia will be expecting several players to return from injury in time to bolster his squad, as well, with the likes of Luis Sinisterra, Rodrigo and Liam Cooper all pushing to return to the fold.
With that in mind, Leeds Live take a look at United’s strongest XI for the run-in.
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Goalkeeper
Illan Meslier
The clear and obvious choice between the sticks. Meslier has been one of Leeds’ best and most consistent players this season and he’ll be a key man during the run-in if Gracia’s side are to pull themselves out of danger.
He’s still young at 23 years of age and he could even be one of the club’s most valuable assets right now.
Defence
Luke Ayling, Robin Koch, Max Wober, Junior Firpo
Leeds’ best back four has changed regularly throughout the course of the season, but on current form this should be the back four that Gracia attempts to go through the remainder of the season with. Luke Ayling has done so well to find form and edge Rasmus Kristensen out of the picture since the turn of the year, while the partnership Robin Koch and Max Wober have built up is a promising one.
The pair look solid together in the heart of defence and right now, it’s hard to make an argument for bringing Liam Cooper back into the fold. The skipper’s leadership is clear to see and can have a huge impact, but the form of Wober and Koch together make changes difficult to see.
Junior Firpo has more than made the left-back spot his own in recent weeks as well. Firpo has been a much-maligned figure during his time at Elland Road, but he’s been one of Leeds’ most impressive of late, meaning Pascal Struijk may have to make do with a bench spot.
Midfield
Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Marc Roca
Leeds were overrun in the middle of the park at times last week at Chelsea and there’s an argument to suggest that a three-man midfield could be the way forward for the Whites. In theory that would help United to control the midfield battle in games, while it would also allow Weston McKennie to get forward and join the attack when in possession.
McKennie played that role well at Fulham last week in the FA Cup. The system also allows Marc Roca to utilise his passing ability, attempting to dictate play alongside Tyler Adams, who has developed a fearsome reputation as a destructor, breaking up opposition play and winning the ball back for his side.
Sam Greenwood is available off the bench to provide set-piece quality late on in games, with Adam Forshaw, if fit, and Darko Gyabi, who really caught the eye in the Under-21s this week, offering depth.
Attack
Luis Sinisterra, Rodrigo, Wilfried Gnonto
Leeds’ attack has been blunt over the last couple of months, it’s fair to say. Goals haven’t exactly been flowing and they have paid the price for some quite frankly toothless performances, just as they did last time out against Chelsea.
The injury to top scorer Rodrigo hasn’t helped, of course, and the sooner he’s considered fit to start the better for Leeds. That shouldn’t be too much longer now and he will hope to be involved again before the international break.
Luis Sinisterra has been unfortunate with injuries this season, but the hope is he could be set to make a return to action soon, too, after injuring his hamstring at Old Trafford last month. He’s shown glimpses of his exceptional talent so far and his presence could be huge for the Whites as the pressure continues to build.
Wilfried Gnonto will start more often than not on the left and rightly so given the form he has produced since the World Cup break. Jack Harrison, Brenden Aaronson, Patrick Bamford and Crysencio Summerville are amongst those who don’t make the cut in this XI due to their inconsistent form, but they do provide much-needed depth.
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