How will the £88m of investment begin?
All six of Leeds United’s new faces are in Australia with the squad and they all look set to play some part in Thursday morning’s clash with Brisbane Roar. Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen, Marc Roca, Darko Gyabi, Tyler Adams and Luis Sinisterra cost around £88m between them.
Roca saw some action against Blackpool last week, but the other five are yet to be seen in Leeds colours. There is little doubt Jesse Marsch will field them if they are injury-free against Brisbane, but that first glimpse of the new players is always special.
With the post-Phillips-Raphinha era underway, fans are desperate to see some promising signs from the new signings, even if it is a friendly with an Australian outfit.
READ MORE: 'Price would have doubled' - How Leeds United beat the market with Raphinha replacement
Davis stakes his claim
The news Junior Firpo will be missing from action for eight weeks should hit Leeds as a hammer blow and deliver a wake-up call for Victor Orta and Marsch on their left-back options. Even with Firpo fit they looked light in that department, but without him it looks desperate.
Right now, 22-year-old Leif Davis, as promising as he is, is the best, fit left-back at the club and he looks well placed to start in Gold Coast today. If he wasn’t trying hard to prove his worth already, Davis has just been handed the biggest opportunity in his career to show he can be trusted to start the new season with United.
Gyabi and Gray to shine?
Archie Gray was the talk of the town after last week’s opener with Blackpool. The 16-year-old was sensational and Marsch could not stop himself waxing lyrical about the schoolboy post-match.
Darko Gyabi, two years Gray’s senior, caught LeedsLive’s Will Jackson’s eye in training this week. The former Manchester City teen could quite easily be the find of this tour if he continues to turn heads in the same way.
A £5m fee for a teenager with no senior experience was also a major show of faith from Leeds.
Bamford goes public
Patrick Bamford’s strike against Stoke City at the start of the month was behind closed doors and the public was then deprived of their number nine against Blackpool. The centre-forward is expected to feature against Brisbane it what will feel like the real start of his comeback.
After injuries shot holes in last season, Bamford has so much to prove to himself and others through this summer and into the new campaign. It’s going to feel refreshing just to see him leading the line and pain-free.
Leeds take more
The team may be playing more than 10,200 miles from home, but Cbus Super Stadium is expected to be covered in white shirts today. A mixture of Australian natives, expatriates and even holidaying Brits will ensure Marsch’s side feel plenty of support at their backs in Gold Coast.
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