At least one part of the Leeds United transfer plan has been completed. The first-choice back line has been set after the Whites brought in two new faces already, which has pleased club chiefs. Back-up options have been bolstered too.
Sebastiaan Bornauw has been brought in to essentially be the replacement for Max Wober, who has joined Werder Bremen on loan. Sam Byram, 31, has also signed a contract renewal that helps the cover at full-back.
His experience of the top-flight will aid those who will be starting regularly while also helping the new boys bed in. The biggest arrival of the window so far has been that of Jaka Bijol from Udinese.
His £15million signing denoted the first of at least five core recruits the 49ers wish to bring in. He will play alongside Joe Rodon, who played every game of the Championship season last term.
The Welshman's reliability and defensive work was a major cog in helping United gain promotion and winning the title. He is one of the first names on the teamsheet and will be crucial in Leeds’ survival plan.
Next to him is Jayden Bogle, who has fully earned his status as first-choice right-back. His game from last season will be required to change. No longer will he occupy a wide berth and after a season of taking players on, he will now have to mind being beaten himself.
He hardly got beaten last time out but it will be different this season. Recovery tackles and disciplined positioning will come into play more, though his attacking assets will not be disregarded.
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The second core signing of the window saw Gabriel Gudmundsson arrive from Lille for £10m and take the mantle from the departed Junior Firpo. The Sweden international is more defensively astute than Firpo yet is also an attack-minded full-back.
So he is not a total diversion to what Leeds are used to but perhaps more Premier League tuned. The same can be applied for Bijol, who has been described as an aerial presence - which is what United risked losing without Pascal Struijk in the side.
Therefore, a new-look defence could line up against Manchester United in Stockholm in a week’s time (July 19) - the first friendly of the summer. Now, just for a new goalkeeper...
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