This summer marks the start of a new era at Elland Road. The changes are widespread, from top to bottom, with new personnel arriving to take up various roles within Leeds United.
A number of players will be signed but several established names look set to leave the club, too. Robin Koch has already departed, with his loan to Eintracht Frankfurt being confirmed on Thursday evening, while the likes of Diego Llorente, Rasmus Kristensen, Brenden Aaronson, Rodrigo, Tyler Adams, Marc Roca and Junior Firpo have all been linked away, to name just a few.
Several of the above names can be considered leaders within Leeds’ playing group and while Leeds will be hoping to keep hold of last season’s key men, they run the risk of finding themselves short of natural authority and influence should they leave. Liam Cooper, Luke Ayling and Stuart Dallas will remain and the club will likely look to add one or two more experienced players this summer.
But, Daniel Farke may also be keen for a number of players within the squad to step up, take on more responsibility and mould themselves into leaders. Here’s a look at three men who might just fit into that category.
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Pascal Struijk
Struijk cannot be considered to be a youngster in the group anymore. The defender turns 24 next month and with almost 100 appearances in all competitions for Leeds under his belt, he doesn’t lack experience.
As such, Farke may well be challenging the Dutchman to take the next step in his career and become more of a voice within the group. Struijk started last season in fine form as he took on the left-back role and made it his own, earning himself a new deal in the process.
His performances were good enough to catch Louis van Gaal’s eye and he was named in the provisional Netherlands squad for the World Cup. He didn’t make the cut and his form tailed off over the second half of the season, but Struijk can still be expected to play a key role for the Whites in the Championship and adding the leadership string to his bow would certainly stand him in good stead moving forward.
The likes of Charlie Cresswell, Leo Hjelde and Cody Drameh are expected to breakthrough this season and the guidance and advice Struijk can give them could be invaluable.
Max Wober
At 25, Wober is slightly older than Struijk and he has over 200 first-team outings to his name having broken through into the Rapid Wien side as a teenager. That experience showed last season as he immediately became a vocal presence in Leeds’ backline following his switch from Red Bull Salzburg in January.
As such, the transition to become one of the Whites’ key leaders could be an easy one, presuming he stays at the club. Wober was one of Leeds’ best over the second half of the season and while he does face competition for a place in the side, he is expected to be an important figure under Farke.
His presence in the backline will certainly help the aforementioned younger faces and his communication and organisation could be pivotal even with the likes of Cooper and Ayling present.
Dan James
James may have been deemed surplus to requirements last season, but he’s due to return to Thorp Arch on Monday to start pre-season and by all accounts he’s committed to the challenge that lies ahead in West Yorkshire. The winger, then, is expected to play a key role for the Whites this season, providing pace and trickery in a division he has already found plenty of joy in.
However, given his age, the 25-year-old, who will be 26 in November, may also be asked to provide more of a senior voice within the Leeds group. There’s a lot of uncertainty in terms of personnel, but James could be one of the oldest in the attacking group next season and that senior player tag comes with certain responsibilities.
His presence and support could be a huge boost for the likes of Mateo Joseph and Sonny Perkins as they look to breakthrough into the senior fold and having spent time alongside the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcus Rashford at Man United, he knows what it takes to reach the pinnacle of the game. That type of advice could be invaluable for Leeds’ youngsters.
