The 2026/27 Premier League season will bring new challenges for Leeds United.
Leeds United defender Joe Rodon hopes to push on and become part of an established Premier League team next season.
Leeds are set for another important summer with half of last season’s starting back-three and goalkeeper out the door. Pascal Struijk joined Brighton in a £20million deal while goalkeeper Karl Darlow’s free transfer to Manchester United was confirmed on Tuesday, leaving only Rodon and Jaka Bijol.
Joe Rodon enjoyed an excellent 2025/26 Premier League season.placeholder image
Joe Rodon enjoyed an excellent 2025/26 Premier League season. | John Walton/PA Wire
But Elland Road chiefs will look to improve on both if possible, with the priority this summer being genuine starting-XI ceiling-raisers. And while no one is getting ahead of themselves in chasing Europe, the hope is Daniel Farke’s side can continue to build on an impressive first season back in the top-flight.
"As players, we always want to strive for more and we don't want to get carried away," Rodon told LUTV. "I think the goals and the challenges change again. Of course, last year was about staying up and being in the league this year. Now I think it's about pushing on and being established and see how far we can take that.”
Rodon and his teammates - including free agent arrival Harry Wilson - reported back for pre-season testing this week. The centre-back earned his rest as much as anyone in the squad, having played so regularly and taken so many knocks thanks to his front-footed defending.
Joe Rodon looking ahead to 2026/27 season
"It felt like it went quicker than it should have! But I'm delighted to be back and looking forward to the new season,” Rodon said. "I think probably the biggest difference coming into the Premier League last year, I think it's the mental side because every game you play is so difficult and offers different challenges.
"I think more mentally, especially. The season was a long season and it was tough, so I think after everything we went through, and obviously the come-out success, it was good to switch off."
Read More
New signing Wilson won’t be reuniting with Wales teammate Darlow but there are still plenty of familiar faces. Rodon, Ampadu and Daniel James remain while Jayden Bogle is also known from the pair’s on-loan Derby County days.
It’s set to be another summer of change inside the squad but in the middle of it all, a few constants remain. Rodon and Ampadu joined in the months after relegation in 2023 and have seen Leeds climb - but they’re not done yet.
"When we both joined here, we all knew the project and what we signed up for, so I think it's one step at a time, “ Rodon added. “But of course, this season we want to push on again and push further."
Continue Reading