Leeds United are a Premier League club again but Daniel Farke will hope to make that status stick next season after winning the Championship with 100 points.
After a long and gruelling season, Leeds United finally secured their promotion back to the Premier League on a glorious Easter Monday. Not only that, but supercomputers aren’t confident about Leeds’ survival chances.
Simon Jordan is backing Leeds to do well, which is perhaps down to the amount of Premier League appearances in the Leeds squad and having faith in the recruitment department at the club.
There are Premier League blueprints Leeds can emulate but Adam Underwood, Robbie Evans, and the 49ers appear to have done their Premier League research on what it takes to survive.
That is shown in the recruitment so far, with seven signings through the doors at Elland Road. Meanwhile, on top of that, Daniel Farke has talked up tactical flexibility in the Premier League improving as well.
Willy Gnonto of Leeds United 2025/26
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
The three most important players for Leeds United right now
It’s fair to say that Leeds will want to get off to a strong start in the Premier League opener against Everton. Their fixtures after that are Arsenal and Newcastle United — second and fifth last season.
However, throughout the season, there are going to be crucial players for various fixtures and for different types of game or opposition. But who are the most likely to be Leeds’ wildcards this season? We take a look at three, here.
1. Jaka Bijol
Jaka Bijol feels like an obvious answer for a player who will have a huge part to play in Leeds’ survival bid this coming season, given his size and quality, but also his experience of a dogfight at the bottom of Serie A.
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He’s not so much a wildcard per se, but a pillar on which Leeds’ strong foundations will be built. However, he will be a huge asset in both boxes next season due to his insane aerial numbers.
Bijol can be a threat for goals from set-pieces and as a player who will keep them out, too. He should be the best defensive player at the club and that will be pivotal to their survival bid.
Anton Stach in action for Leeds against Villarreal.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
2. Anton Stach
Arguably the second most important piece of the defensive puzzle, and likely to be an even more crucial player in build-up phases, Anton Stach should be as important as Bijol.
Another 6’3” plus giant, Stach will have the requisite physical qualities to keep Leeds in games and ensure they are competitive in a low or mid-block.
The 26-year-old German international ticks all the boxes for the sort of team looking to ensure safety immediately after promotion. He is a piece of the puzzle which Farke will have to lean on consistently.
3. Willy Gnonto
Currently, without a winger or attacking midfielder signed, the likes of Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson will be vital to the team’s creativity early on.
Perhaps the same could be said of Ao Tanaka if he features, but Leeds have to lean on genuine wildcards to win them points as differential attackers; Willy Gnonto will be that.
Be that as a starting player or from the bench, he is the current forward player with the most moments of magic in his boots. He is someone with match-winning quality when he flicks a switch. Leeds simply need more Gnonto-type players to support him.