Leeds United and their Premier League rivals are getting their pre-season schedules underway this month, and it’s worth keeping a close eye on what some of these clubs do in the window ahead of 25/26’s campaign getting underway.
The objective is clear for Leeds next season: be better than three sides across 38 games and survival is secured.
Who those sides are will remain to be seen and if Leeds can actually pull off a very difficult feat, but developments at certain clubs have already caught attention.
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Could Brentford be pulled into relegation trouble alongside Leeds United?
Alongside Burnley and Sunderland being two of Leeds’ direct rivals for survival, Brentford appear one of the sides to monitor this summer.
That’s because they’ve already been punching above their weight to a certain degree thanks to the exceptional coaching of Thomas Frank above most other things, but he’s taken over from Ange Postecoglou at Tottenham.
(Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Couldridge)
Despite finishing 10th and looking very comfortable in the top flight ever since their promotion in 2021, the Bees are also seeing key players leave, with Christian Norgaard joining Arsenal for £10million, while Bryan Mbeumo’s exit seems inevitable, only waiting for a club to finally pay the asking price.
Yoane Wissa could also be on the move too, which would see Brentford likely to bring in significant sums for their star forward pairing, but importantly losing a duo responsible for 39 of Brentford’s 66 goals last season – a staggering 59%.
Brentford to sign Jordan Henderson on free transfer – David Ornstein
Having lost experienced midfielder Norgaard to Arsenal, there is a hole in the middle of the park needing to be addressed under new boss Keith Andrews.
The Athletic’s David Ornstein has revealed that the Bees are now set to announce the signing of free agent Jordan Henderson following his exit from Ajax.
(Action Images via Reuters/Matthew Childs)
Henderson, 35, boasts vast experience largely from his time at Liverpool, captaining the Reds to Premier League and Champions League glory during his time at Anfield.
The veteran midfielder had previously spent a brief period in Saudi Arabia before heading to the Dutch giants.
Could Leeds United also do with some Premier League experience?
Signing the requisite quality to stay up and be competitive in the Premier League should be the priority, but focusing on the intangibles is also important.
No scouting report or statistical overview can show you what impact experience can have on a team, but it’s a crucial thing to have in a side that will have to dig deep next season.
Henderson could be valuable for Brentford in that regard, and it might be the sort of signing Leeds need to pad out their squad too.