This summer will be a key point for a lot of Leeds United players. There are expected to be many changes within the squad before the Premier League kicks off in August.
It is well known among players and fans that most times, the team that secured promotion will be far different from the team that actually plays in the Premier League. Leeds know this, and have planned their transfer plan around this. The last two seasons have seen all three newly-promoted sides go straight back down to the Championship.
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The Whites have focused their attention on signing quality starters from Europe’s top leagues. Out of the four new signings, two have been from the Bundesliga, one from Serie A and one from Ligue 1.
It is a drastic shift from clubs like Ipswich Town last season, who spent most of their budget signing Championship players.
QUIZ: Can you name these past and present Leeds United players?
Some Leeds United stars to report to pre-season late
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Leeds have begun their pre-season, with many players having return to West Yorkshire. Familiar faces like Jack Harrison, Patrick Bamford and Sam Byram are already training with the team. The players are currently undergoing a few days of testing at Carnegie School of Sport facility at Leeds Beckett University.
There are some notable absences, mainly players who were international duty this month. That includes Mateo Joseph, Wilfried Gnonto and Brenden Aaronson. Joseph and Gnonto played at the U21 Euros while Aaronson was in action in the Gold Cup with the USMNT.
Both Gnonto and Joseph have been given an extra week off, and Aaronson will arrive later.
Mateo Joseph set to hold talks over future
During the U21 Euros, Mateo Joseph spoke on his future at Leeds United. There has been so much speculation concerning him especially with new arrivals at the club.
He hinted that he would hold talks with the club over his future when he returned to the club this summer:
“…I’m very focused on the tournament, and I’ll have to talk to Leeds, with whom I haven’t yet. Then whatever has to happen will happen,..”
“We [Leeds] achieved our goal as a team, but I personally want to be more involved in the final stretch of the season. I think I need more participation to continue developing as a player.
“The season has just ended, and we have to stop and evaluate. We’ve been promoted to the Premier League. We’ll see what the club says, but I want to play more to continue growing.”
Should the club keep Spain U21 star?
Mateo Joseph has immense potential, last season even when he had 1,285 minutes, he had three goals and three assists. The forward had the least minutes out of players who played more than 20 games and was still productive.
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Leeds have to be careful that another Liam Cresswell situation does not arrise; the former Leeds star is now set for a big move this summer after impressing at Toulouse. The club have a big decision to make on Mateo Joseph.
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