There has been plenty of change to the Leeds United squad this summer as Jesse Marsch moulds the team in his image, with more ins and outs likely before September 2, the date on which Marsch will decide on his 25-man Premier League squad.
All 20 top-flight clubs must submit their squad for the upcoming campaign on that date - the day after the transfer window shuts. Each club must have at least eight homegrown players in their squad. A homegrown player is, irrespective of age, a player who has been registered with an English or Welsh club for at least three seasons before turning 21; Leeds should have no issue fulfilling this rule.
Staring at goalkeeper, this is an area where Leeds are currently searching for reinforcements, with Illan Mesiler the only ‘keeper in the squad with a Premier League start to his name. There has been talk recently that the Whites could take in veteran keeper Ben Foster as a short-term backup, with the 39-year-old now a free agent after leaving Watford this summer.
READ MORE: Club Brugge manager reveals transfer pressure on Leeds United target Charles De Ketelaere
The one position that needs urgent attention in defence is the left-back spot, with first-choice Junior Firpo set to miss the first few weeks of the campaign injured, Stuart Dallas undergoing a long recovery from a broken leg while Leif Davis has left for Ipswich Town.
Borna Sosa has been highlighted as a potential place-holder at left-back but is being pursued by a number of Premier League clubs. The Whites have four senior centre-backs, so they are set in that area and have brought in Rasmus Kristensen at right-back, with Luke Ayling and Cody Drameh backing up in that position.
Tyler Adams, Marc Roca, Brenden Aaronson and Darko Gyabi have arrived to bolster the centre of the midfield this summer in the area that has seen the most change at Leeds this summer. Kalvin Phillips departed, as did Raphinha, who has been replaced by Luis Sinisterra, but there could be more movement in the wide areas yet with Jack Harrison being pursued by Newcastle United. Noa Lang from Club Brugge is one name that has popped up recently that could come the other way.
The centre-forward position has been the most talked about in recent days by Leeds supporters as an area that needs improvement. Patrick Bamford’s level of fitness is an ongoing issue, while Marsch has reaffirmed that Rodrigo will have a key role to play this season despite the Spaniard being linked with a move away from Elland Road.
Charles De Ketelaere is the name on everyone’s lips around the club at the moment, with Leeds embroiled in a transfer battle with AC Milan for the 21-year-old’s signature. Milan is the preferred destination for the Belgian, but Leeds have come up with the best offer so far, so there is more to come on that front, with Arnaud Kalimuendo also lined up as an option in that area.
Potential 25-man squad for Leeds United (excluding U21 players)
Illan Mesiler, Ben Foster, Kristoffer Klaesson; Rasmus Kristensen, Luke Ayling, Diego Llorente, Robin Koch, Pascal Strujik, Liam Cooper, Borna Sosa, Junior Firpo, Stuart Dallas; Tyler Adams, Marc Roca, Mateusz Klich, Adam Forshaw, Benden Aaronson, Luis Sinisterra, Jack Harrison, Daniel James, Noa Lang; Rodrigo, Patrick Bamford, Charles De Ketelaere/Arnaud Kalimuendo
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