Forty-five days may have passed since Leeds United’s last competitive fixture along with what feels like an ocean of change, but three switches could be the limit of Jesse Marsch’s tinkering tomorrow. There could be a formation change too after some distinct shifts in the last two friendlies.
Illan Meslier could retain the gloves between the sticks against all the odds. When it became clear the goalkeeper had glandular fever at the start of the month, there was scepticism he might be fit to play before 2023.
However, the tone of Marsch’s answers on the Frenchman last week, as well as his presence at Elland Road for the friendlies and open training, suggest Meslier has a real chance. Marsch expected him to be in full training last week and that means he has to face Manchester City.
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Cody Drameh has been talked up as an option and Luke Ayling has played more mid-season friendly minutes than anyone, but it’s hard to look past Rasmus Kristensen at right-back. The Dane has been Marsch’s first choice all season and there is nothing to suggest that changes with him fit and ready.
Robin Koch finally returned to fitness and some form last week to secure his berth in central defence and Marsch remained optimistic Liam Cooper would be available to keep the armband. Pascal Struijk is one of the easiest slots to predict in the team with his uninterrupted preparation and a lack of strong competition at left-back.
Marc Roca was described as a cornerstone by Marsch last week, while Adam Forshaw has come through three friendlies unscathed with high praise from the head coach after Monaco too. A 4-3-3 looks likely after the last two matches, so Sam Greenwood and Mateusz Klich seem to be in direct competition for the right side of that trident.
Greenwood has long been a darling of Marsch’s and started against Monaco, but Klich, decent against Real Sociedad, was only absent through illness. It’s a tight call, but based purely on who Marsch has generally turned to first from the bench since arriving, Greenwood gets the nod.
Brenden Aaronson and Rodrigo, who only missed Monaco as a precaution, are nailed down as two of the three in attack. It’s a far tighter call between Crysencio Summerville, Jack Harrison and Wilfried Gnonto for the left flank.
Summerville and Harrison were seen knocking balls about on the pitches at Thorp Arch last Thursday. Marsch also said he expected them to be in full training before City, while Gnonto has shone in the Elland Road friendlies.
Summerville has missed more of the mid-season break than Harrison, and only played nine minutes, which marginally puts the latter ahead. It’s a contest between Harrison’s engine, discipline and experience, and Gnonto’s pace, dribbling, flair and form.
If it was any of the clubs outside the top eight Gnonto would get the nod, but when it’s a threat as lethal as the champions it’s hard to resist the resilience of Harrison. The Italian is offering far more in attack, no question, but Marsch could favour the security Harrison gives Struijk and Roca behind him.
Predicted line-up: Meslier; Kristensen, Koch, Cooper, Struijk; Greenwood, Forshaw, Roca; Rodrigo, Aaronson, Harrison.
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