Most of Leeds United’s veteran stalwarts are expected to stay at Elland Road this summer. Liam Cooper and Luke Ayling have both set their stall out on social media, underlining their desire to stick around and help Leeds back to the top flight.
The captain and vice-captain will more than likely play key roles, too, as the Whites look to find stability in the new 49ers Enterprises era. Stuart Dallas remains at the club and while his presence has been huge off the field over the last 12 months, he’ll hope to make a difference on the field this time around.
Patrick Bamford seems likely to stay, too, and his experience will be key in the Championship, even if he struggled for form last time around. Unfortunately, though, the above quartet are the only recognised leaders without rather large question marks hanging over their heads following the Whites’ Premier League relegation.
Rodrigo, for example, wore the captain’s armband on several occasions last season, but looks destined to leave the club for pastures new. Tyler Adams has one of the loudest voices in the dressing room, but again, it’s hard to see a way in which the Liverpool, Manchester United, Newcastle United, Brighton and Everton-linked midfielder spends next season playing Championship football.
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Germany international Robin Koch appears to be on the verge of a Bundesliga return, if reports are to be believed, while Illan Meslier, Jack Harrison and even Rasmus Kristensen, who appeared to have a role in spurring others on in play, are all being heavily linked with exits. Leeds also made the decision to release both Joel Robles and Adam Forshaw, both credited as leaders within the group, at the start of the summer.
The pair have been invited back to start pre-season training with Leeds and could earn a new deal that way, but nothing is certain and both leave leadership holes within the group. Leeds are looking at recruitment with interim football advisor Nick Hammond making calls, speaking to contacts and appearing to line things up while the club wait for the takeover to be approved.
They will undoubtedly have certain positions and attributes prioritised, too, when they do eventually start making moves in the market. But, the importance of experience and leadership cannot be overlooked.
Signing younger players with room to grow and eye to the future will undoubtedly be one part of Leeds’ summer strategy, but having learned from mistakes made in the past at Elland Road, they surely have to be looking to add several more established names to the squad. Such players don’t have to have Championship experience or have knowhow when it comes to the rigours of a 46-game season.
But they must be able to help carry the Whites when the going inevitably gets a little tougher. Leeds won’t have it all their own way in the second tier, far from it, but those streetwise, grittier, refined and hardened professionals will certainly prove to be valuable in any promotion chase.
The Whites have plenty of work to so in this summer’s transfer window but finding leaders must be high on their list of priorities.
