Leeds United’s starting XI for the opening day visit of Wolves could look very different to the one that finished last season at Brentford. A summer of change at Elland Road is already underway and it is expected to continue between now and August 6.
Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen have already been confirmed as Leeds players while Marc Roca is in the process of signing from Bayern. They are unlikely to be the only three players to come through the door this summer, especially if there are high-profile departures.
The futures of both Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha are very much in the air and there is every possibility that neither of them will still be Leeds players when Wolves travel to West Yorkshire. If either, or both, of them leave in the next couple of months, they will desperately need replacing if the Whites are to have any chance of finishing the upcoming season better than they did the last.
READ MORE: Leeds United's start to Premier League season ranked as Liverpool and Man City get gift
Although, as they are still Leeds players (at the time of writing), here is the current strongest line up that Jesse Marsch could field against Wolves.
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Illan Meslier (Goalkeeper)
There is no doubt that Illan Meslier will maintain his place as the club’s first-choice goalkeeper. There has been talk over the potential signing of a more experienced back up option but that would be done to further develop the young Frenchman rather than replace him.
Rasmus Kristensen (Right-back)
After Luke Ayling let Marsch down by getting sent off at Arsenal and subsequently missing the final three games of the season, the Leeds boss might throw his new right-back straight into the action at Elland Road. He has been signed to eventually take the mantle from Ayling on the right-hand side of the defence and that could happen as soon as the opening day.
Robin Koch (Centre-back)
When he was played in his favoured centre-back role, Robin Koch impressed during the 2021/22 season but his capabilities of filling in elsewhere meant he seldom played in the heart of the backline. Many Leeds fans view the Germany international as the club’s best central defender and Marsch may well feel the same when he sees him in action during pre-season.
Liam Cooper (Centre-back)
Leeds have been two different teams when Liam Cooper has been available and then when he has been unavailable. When the Whites captain was fit at the back end of the season, the defence was transformed and he remains a key component of his side’s best defence.
Junior Firpo (Left-back)
It was a tough first season in English football for Junior Firpo as he realty struggled to adapt to the physicality required to play in the Premier League. Marsch may well look to upgrade on the former Barcelona defender this summer but, at the moment, he is the only fit, senior option to play at left-back against Wolves.
Kalvin Phillips (Defensive midfield)
While it looks increasingly unlikely that Phillips will not be a Leeds player at the beginning of the season, he is currently still contracted to the club. If the Whites can hold onto their star midfielder, then a real charge up the table could be in the offing but Manchester City seem hopeful of agreeing a deal for him.
Adam Forshaw (Defensive midfield)
Coming back from such a frustrating, lengthy injury lay-off, Adam Forshaw impressed supporters with how seamlessly he transitioned back into the midfield. His impact waned slightly as the season went on and he finished the season injured again but he is still certainly capable of contributing for Leeds in the Premier League.
Raphinha (Right wing)
Like Phillips, Raphinha is still under contract at Leeds and remains arguably the club’s star player. With Barcelona failing to meet the asking price set on the Brazilian, his career at Elland Road may have more chapters but other clubs may look to prise him away.
Brenden Aaronson (Attacking midfield)
After costing Leeds £30m from Red Bull Salzburg, it is hard to imagine Marsch will not throw Aaronson straight into the mix on the opening day of the season. The USMNT regular will have a full pre-season with his new team mates so he should be ready to hit the ground running in August.
Jack Harrison (Left wing)
Jack Harrison is another Leeds players who has been linked with a move away although links to Tottenham and Newcastle seem to have cooled. He was the man to put the rubber stamp on his side’s Premier League survival at Brentford and will certainly start against Wolves if he is still at the club.
Patrick Bamford (Striker)
The upcoming season is a huge one for Patrick Bamford as he targets a full comeback to top-flight action. Following such a brilliant return to the Premier League, he hardly kicked a ball in his second campaign back at the top level due to a plethora of injuries. As a way of easing the load on Bamford, another striker is said to be one of the transfer priorities at Leeds this summer.
