Leeds United have made some smart recruitment in this window. One of the biggest benefits is how the competition in the squad increases this season.
Seven new faces have arrived at the club, and they are some quality additions in each position. Almost every player at the club has competition in their roles.
Most Read on The Leeds Press
Lucas Perri is expected to be the new number one, but one keeper will be dropped when it is time to register players for the Premier League. Jaka Bijol will have a huge battle on his hands to break up the partnership of Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk.
In midfield, there will be some serious battles. With Daniel Farke set to shift to a 3-man system, the options will be in direct competition. Leeds are stacked in that area, with Ao Tanaka, Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff among others.
QUIZ: Can you name the team Leeds United signed these players from in the 2000s?
Simon Rix believes Leeds United could make big change in midfield
Credit: Imago
This summer, Daniel Farke has added two names to the midfield – Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff. The club now have adequate depth in the position. Simon Rix said on the Don’t go to Bed podcast, that Daniel Farke could make some shock changes when it comes to who starts next season:
“If we play 4-3-3, it will be interesting to see who will play in that midfield. Ampadu looked good [against Villarreal] and usually plays every minute and I think Farke will want that back six to become quite fixed.
“Those other two places [are up for grabs] – Longstaff wants to play, have Stach and Tanaka got to play? Gruev has played loads this pre-season and it’s looking like he is not getting sold. It will be really interesting to see who starts against Everton.
“I think something like Longstaff, Stach and Ampadu will play in the difficult games, and something like Ampadu, Stach and Tanaka or maybe even Aaaronson will play in the games that we think we might win.”
Ilia Gruev may be the one to miss out
The Bulgarian was never the same after returning from injury during the campaign. He only managed 20 starts and 1701 minutes during the season.
Based on that, and what we have seen in pre-season, it is most likely that the Bulgarian international will be the one to lose his place in midfield. But in the Premier League, quality in depth is crucial, so Daniel Farke could still rely on him during the season.
Gruev recently said he will fight for his place in the first team this summer.
Related Topics