Leeds United are gearing up for their final friendly of the summer against AC Milan this Saturday, during which fans could gauge further insight into Daniel Farke’s plans.
For most areas, the first choice selections are clear, but ambiguity hangs over others. Yet even in the opening weekend, Leeds have seen a spanner wedged in the works.
The suspension of Jaka Bijol following his red card for Udinese in the final game of the Italian season carries over to the Premier League and means he is suspended for the curtain-raiser against Everton. As such, Pascal Struijk is set to start alongside Joe Rodon against the Toffees.
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And we therefore could see that partnership at least start against Milan in Dublin, though Bijol will likely be used as some stage to keep minutes in the tank. The Slovenian will be the preferred partner to Rodon beyond the Everton clash.
With Lucas Perri a doubt for the game against Milan, Karl Darlow could start in between the sticks again if the new goalkeeper is still injured. Jayden Bogle likewise seems unlikely to play given his hip setback and so Sam Byram could be given the nod.
Isaac Schmidt struggled against Villarreal and is likely to leave by deadline day anyway, albeit not before a new full-back is acquired. Gabriel Gudmundsson would benefit from a prolonged stint at left-back ahead of the opening day.
Ethan Ampadu seems set as the anchor in midfield but Ao Tanaka, Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff are all competing for two places, it appears. It might be that Tanaka starts given he has often pushed up as the attacking midfielder in the 4-3-3 formation used in pre-season.
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Stach looks in good form and adds bulk, as well as a mean set-piece, to the centre of the park so he might edge ahead of Longstaff, who looks like he will benefit from a few more weeks of tactical understanding under Farke’s regime.
Daniel James needs more minutes to get back up to full form again so requires another run out on the right before starting the season. Joel Piroe is easily the standout striker among current options and has done well so far this summer, with a number of goals scored.
The left wing is a point of debate but given Wilfried Gnonto's showings on the flank so far, including his goal against Paderborn, he might be given the nod there. Jack Harrison missed the Villarreal game with an issue, and Largie Ramazani has looked more threatening from the bench.
Predicted XI vs Milan: Darlow; Byram, Rodon, Struijk, Gudmundsson; Ampadu, Stach, Tanaka; James, Piroe, Gnonto
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