In two months time Leeds United’s 2025/26 season will be underway as a packed out Elland Road roar on Daniel Farke’s side against Everton. The Premier League confirmed on Wednesday morning David Moyes’ Toffees will be due in West Yorkshire on Monday, August 18, with a little over eight weeks to get a team together.
Leeds have already strengthened their attacking unit and remain confident a defensive addition will soon follow, with centre-back Jaka Bijol in the UK for medical tests ahead of his proposed move from Udinese. And Elland Road chiefs will hope other priority positions can be filled before Everton come to town.
Recent reports suggest Leeds have made moves in central midfield and upfront, while the YEP reported earlier this week on interest in Swedish left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson. And with those links in mind, we’ve attempted to draw up a dream starting line-up for that 2025/26 season-opener in two month’s time.
7. CM: Noah Sadiki
Another who, in this theoretical team at least, gets his debut in front of a packed out Elland Road. He's on Leeds' list of midfield options and would provide almost endless energy through the middle of the park. | BELGA MAG/AFP via Getty Images
8. CM: Ao Tanaka
In this slightly sturdier midfield unit, Tanaka plays the furthest forward but could easily have Sadiki run beyond him and at Everton's back line. Has spoken of wanting to push forward and get more goals so perhaps there's a role for him there. | Getty Images
9. RW: Daniel James
The jet-heeled winger will cause problems for Premier League full-backs with his raw pace, and at Championship-level at least had the final action to match. Genuine links to alternative wingers have been scarce so far. | Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images
10. LW: Wilfried Gnonto
After two years being pushed over to the right, perhaps a return to the Premier League sees Gnonto fulfil his potential where he's most dangerous, cutting in from the left. With a more solid midfield trio, he'll also have scope to drift into No.10 positions as Gudmundsson keeps the width. | Cameron Howard/Getty Images
11. ST: Rodrigo Muniz
Reports of a £32m bid show just how serious Leeds are about Muniz and he'd provide the kind pf physicality Farke clearly wants at No.9. No goal against Everton last season but perhaps, theoretically at least, a debut strike at Elland Road. | Getty Images