The transfer window cogs are slowly but surely starting to turn and deals are being done as teams put plans in place for the new season. At Leeds, though, things are moving a little slower with clarity needed regarding the ownership before sales and additions can really take place.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t stop us from looking at the current state of play at Elland Road with a number of futures appearing uncertain following the club’s relegation from the Premier League. Following on from our deep dive on United’s defensive situation, here’s a look at how Leeds’ midfield looks heading into the new season.
Expected to stay
Sam Greenwood
There are so many questions to be answered at this stage of the summer and it seems plenty of them involve the futures of Whites midfielders with the rumour mill already in full swing. Leeds are expected to let a number of high profile players leave and there is doubt concerning a number of others.
Read more: Adam Forshaw sends emotional Leeds United message amid uncertain Elland Road future
As such, Sam Greenwood is the only player at this point that doesn’t seem to be in question. Greenwood is still only 21, but after making 18 appearances in the Premier League last season, he could be eyeing up a key role next season in the second tier, either in a deeper role or as a number 10.
The England Under-21 international is an exciting talent and relegation might just provide the regular minutes he craves in order to continue his development.
Expected to go
Jack Harrison, Marc Roca, Luis Sinisterra, Tyler Adams
Departures are unfortunately part and parcel of relegation. They’re to be expected and a number of middle men have already been linked away.
Tyler Adams has attracted interest from a host of clubs with Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United being the latest to be mentioned. Adams was one of Leeds’ best in the Premier League and the expectation is that he will be given the option to move up the ladder and continue his career in the top flight.
The same can be said for Jack Harrison, who came very close to leaving Elland Road in January. Harrison signed a new five-year deal with the Whites in April, but there have been reports of interest and it might be hard for the club to keep hold of the winger in the second tier.
Marc Roca has been linked with a surprise move to Barcelona this one year after making the switch from Bayern Munich. Of the above quartet, Sinisterra is the only one who hasn’t been linked away since Leeds’ relegation and his injury record may have something to do with that, given the amount of games he missed last season.
The talent he showed when he was on the pitch spoke volumes, though, and, at this moment in time, it’s hard to see Leeds being able to keep hold of Sinisterra in the event of an approach from a top flight club.
Uncertain
Adam Forshaw, Jamie Shackleton, Crysencio Summerville, Brenden Aaronson, Helder Costa, Ian Poveda, Dan James
The sheer amount of names above gives a flavour of the uncertainty at Elland Road at present and while some of them could leave, others will likely stay. Let’s start with Adam Forshaw, who is now in the final month of his contract with Leeds United.
Forshaw played a key role at the end of the season, but his injury record ensures the club’s decision on whether to activate his one-year extension option looks far from straightforward. He has plenty to offer in the Championship, but as it stands his future is in up in the air.
Shackleton is due to return to Thorp Arch after spending the season on loan at Millwall, it remains to be seen whether there will be a role for him, though. Costa is in the same boat as his loan in Saudi Arabia comes to an end.
The winger has featured regularly for league leaders Al-Ittihad, who have just secured the signing of Karim Benzema, but his next step is unclear. Summerville and Aaronson have both been linked away from Elland Road over the last few days, but they could also feature in the club’s Championship plans.
James’ days as a Leeds player appeared numbered last summer as he left to join Fulham, but there could be chances for him in the second tier. Fans could also do with some clarification around plans for Poveda, who made 24 Championship appearances for Blackpool last time around.
Pushing to emerge
Darko Gyabi, Archie Gray, Lewis Bate
Gyabi was one of the stars of the U21s’ Premier League 2 Division 2 promotion-winning season during his first year at Leeds after joining from Manchester City. His talent was there to see in every game he played for the youth side and he earned himself three run outs for the senior side.
The midfielder needs more first-team minutes to continue his impressive development and if he can make an impression on the new head coach, he can expect to play a more prominent role next time around. Bate, on the other hand, saw plenty of first-team action while on loan at Oxford United and he will have high hopes of using that experience to his advantage as he pushes to breakthrough into the United fold.
There’s no rush on Archie Gray, but he’s clearly been on the cusp of a first-team debut for some time now. The 17-year-old was included on Leeds’ pre-season tour of Australia and despite injury issues this season he was named on the Premier League benches of Jesse Marsch, Javi Gracia and Sam Allardyce.
Leeds need to take their time and avoid the possibility of overexposing him, but fans shouldn’t be surprised to see him make huge strides once more next season.
