The next few days promise to be hectic ones for Javi Gracia as he gets to work at Leeds United’s Thorp Arch base. Of course, his arrival is subject to obtaining a work permit, but assuming that comes through promptly, he will be able to oversee the club’s next Premier League game against Southampton.
League fixtures don’t come much bigger than Saturday’s clash against the Saints and United know they will hit the foot of the table should Gracia be unable to make an immediate impact. The head coach will have done his homework and he may already have a starting XI in mind for his first game in charge of Leeds at Elland Road.
The Spaniard has favoured either a 4-4-2 formation or a 4-2-2-2 in previous roles, and that may just play to the strengths of the current Leeds squad. However, he has been known to play other formations and in his last job at Al Sadd he went with a 3-4-2-1 more often than not.
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With that in mind, here’s how Leeds could look in Gracia’s first game.
4-4-2
Possible line-up: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Firpo; Summerville, McKennie, Adams, Gnonto; Rutter, Bamford
It’s fair to say the back four could look relatively familiar should Gracia opt for the 4-4-2, with Luke Ayling at right-back, Robin Koch and Liam Cooper in the middle and Junior Firpo on the left. Cooper gets the nod due to the shoulder injury Max Wober picked up last time out at Everton, while Firpo was one of Leeds’ best at Goodison Park, albeit in a woeful collective performance.
This system seems to play into the strengths of Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams in the middle, while Crysencio Summerville and Wilfried Gnonto could be the favourites to start on the flanks at present. Of course, Luis Sinisterra has struggled with injury of late, while Jack Harrison is far from guaranteed a start given his recent form.
The two up front may allow Georginio Rutter a first Premier League start alongside Patrick Bamford, but Gnonto can also play there and that could be something for Gracia to consider.
4-2-2-2
Possible line-up: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Firpo; McKennie, Adams; Aaronson, Harrison; Gnonto, Bamford
This one looks fairly similar to the 4-4-2 system, but it can look slightly narrower, with attacking midfielders attempting to play between the lines and create behind a front two. That system seems to suit the likes of Brenden Aaronson and Sam Greenwood to a tee.
Both performed well with the U21s on Monday night, but as the slightly more senior man, Aaronson may well get the nod. It might also suit Harrison, who would feel comfortable drifting out to the wing or further inside when required to do so and his selection would allow Gracia to pick Gnonto in a more advanced role alongside Bamford.
Gnonto hasn’t been seen in that role for Leeds just yet, but he played some of his best stuff with Zurich in that position.
4-2-3-1
Possible line-up: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper, Firpo; McKennie, Adams; Summerville, Aaronson, Gnonto; Bamford
Gracia has played this formation in the past and he may do again after watching the Whites’ impressive performances against Manchester United earlier this month. However, following the display at Everton, it would be a surprise if at least one change didn’t come further up the field.
Aaronson looks the obvious candidate to play in the middle instead of Harrison, but Greenwood could be an option, too. Gnonto and Summerville could be suited to the wide spots in such a system, while Bamford has surely done enough to claim the lead striker role over Rutter.
3-4-2-1
Possible line-up: Meslier; Ayling, Koch, Cooper; Kristensen, McKennie, Adams, Firpo; Aaronson, Gnonto; Bamford
As mentioned above, Gracia went with this system in his last job in Qatar and it brought him plenty of success, winning his first 10 games in charge at Al Sadd. Leeds have the personnel to fit such a formation, too, with Rasmus Kristensen able to step into the side in the right wing-back role.
Ayling would likely become a right-sided centre-back, with Koch and Cooper to his left, while Firpo has also thrived in more advanced areas of the field of late. Adams and McKennie would obviously provide a solid base in the middle behind three attackers.
Again, the formation suits Aaronson’s skillset, despite his poor recent form, while Gnonto’s ability and direct style with the ball at his feet could cause problems behind Bamford, as the lone striker.
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