Leeds United are heading into another important summer as they look to build on their impressive Premier League return. Daniel Farke’s side were comfortably safe in the end, their 47 points enough for a 14th-placed finish despite losing 3-0 at relegated West Ham on the final day.
Last year’s recruitment proved incredibly successful but 49ers Enterprises will need to invest again, if Leeds are to continue improving. An end-of-season injury crisis highlighted just how quickly things can change as the lack of depth in Farke’s squad became apparent when key players were missing.
Alongside first-team ceiling-raisers, Leeds will look to build Farke’s squad this summer in a bid to avoid similar issues cropping up at a more inconvenient point of the season. Below, the YEP takes a look at the current depth to identify some potential weak points.
Note: Anyone with an * next to their name is out of contract this summer.
1. Leeds United's squad depth by position
Note: Anyone with an * next to their name is out of contract this summer. | AFP via Getty Images
First-choice: Karl Darlow* | Cover: Lucas Perri, Illan Meslier*, Alex Cairns*
2. Goalkeeper
First-choice: Karl Darlow* | Cover: Lucas Perri, Illan Meslier*, Alex Cairns* | Getty Images
First-choice: Joe Rodon | Cover: Sebastiaan Bornauw, James Justin, Jaka Bijol
3. Right centre-back
First-choice: Joe Rodon | Cover: Sebastiaan Bornauw, James Justin, Jaka Bijol | Getty Images
First-choice: Jaka Bijol | Cover: Sebastiaan Bornauw, Joe Rodon
4. Central centre-back
First-choice: Jaka Bijol | Cover: Sebastiaan Bornauw, Joe Rodon | Getty Images
First-choice: Pascal Struijk | Cover: Jaka Bijol, Ethan Ampadu
5. Left centre-back
First-choice: Pascal Struijk | Cover: Jaka Bijol, Ethan Ampadu | AFP via Getty Images
First-choice: Jayden Bogle | Cover: James Justin, Sam Byram*
6. Right wing-back
First-choice: Jayden Bogle | Cover: James Justin, Sam Byram* | Getty Images