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Six weeks have now passed since Leeds United signed off from their first season back in the Premier League - and the club’s strongest XI and bench already now has a different look to it.
A Leeds side whose top-flight survival was sealed with three games still remaining finished the 2025-26 campaign with a final day 3-1 defeat at West Ham who are now heading for the Championship as Leeds prepare for their second year back in the big time.
Ahead of the new season and the summer transfer window opening, Leeds announced their retained list on June 10 with news that keeper Illan Meslier would be leaving the club upon his contract expiring this summer. It was also confirmed that loanee attacker Facundo Buonanotte would return to parent club Brighton.
Leeds also revealed they were in discussions with three other players whose contracts expired this summer, two of them being keepers in Karl Darlow and Alex Cairns plus full-back Sam Byram although all three players are now technically speaking free agents.
News of a very big exit then emerged at the start of this month as centre-back Pascal Struijk completed a £20m switch to Brighton as Leeds themselves closed in on a major new signing in Harry Wilson as a free transfer from Fulham.
Wilson’s move to Leeds is done although yet to be announced. With Wilson incoming but Struijk, Meslier and Buonanotte gone, here, we run through our idea of the new strongest Leeds XI and bench as things stand with Wilson still to be added to the mix.
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13. Sub: James Justin
Justin initially had to be patient in the wait for minutes after joining the club from Leicester City last summer but the 28-yeare-old then proved extremely reliable when called upon anywhere across the defence as part of a strong run in the side. Unfortunate to be on the bench but a very good player to have there as an option in so many different positions. | Getty Images
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14. Sub: Sebastiaan Bornauw
Another who has proved a very solid signing and the obvious other back-up defensive option on the bench although young centre back Alfie Cresswell is clearly knocking on the door too and it's worth remembering that Leeds still have an international defender on their books in Max Wober too following his recent loan spells away from the club although quite what the future holds for him remains to be seen. | Getty Images
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15. Sub: Ao Tanaka
The fourth Leeds player who has represented the club at the World Cup with Japan and a player who would probably make the first choice XI if Farke went with three centre mids as opposed to three attackers - as seems more likely with Wilson and Okafor. | Getty Images
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16. Sub: Sean Longstaff
A very capable player on his day who would not look out of place in the strongest XI and another obvious one for the bench although it could be a case of Longstaff or Ilia Gruev as the other midfield option once Gruev returns from injury. Assuming Farke goes for another midfielder on the bench that is. | Getty Images
17. Sub: Brenden Aaronson
Aaronson was one of Farke's most called on players last season and the American might well still make the strongest XI but it's hard to think that both Okafor and Wilson won't start so Aaronson likely now drops to the bench. | Getty Images
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18. Sub: Dan James
By this point Farke is already running out of spaces on his bench but James is probably the next option out wide although it might now be a case of one from James or Gnonto unless a forward is moved. | Getty Images