Leeds United's new predicted strongest starting line-up after summer transfer moves
Leeds United have already been busy recruiting ahead of their third season back in the Premier League, for which the Whites will almost certainly be looking at a different strongest XI to last term.
By Lee Sobot
Published 21st Jun 2022, 15:44 BST
Updated 21st Jun 2022, 16:11 BST
Leeds have secured deals to bring in three new players ahead of the 2022-23 season, spending in the region of £45m to sign USA international midfielder Brenden Aaronson, Denmark international right-back Rasmus Kristensen and Spanish midfielder Marc Roca.
United are also looking to bring in another striker option ahead of a season that will start with a home clash against Wolves on Saturday, August 6.
The summer transfer window will close at 11pm on Thursday, September 1 and all eyes surround star Whites duo Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha on the potential outgoings front.
Champions Manchester City want to sign United's England international star Kalvin Phillips who is also attracting the interest of Paris Saint-Germain.
PSG contacted the Whites last Friday with an enquiry regarding the midfielder's availability and price.
Raphinha is a key summer target for Spanish giants Barcelona although the Camp Nou side may face competition from Arsenal to sign United's Brazilian international winger.
Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea have also been credited with interest in the Whites winger but Leeds are yet to receive bids for either player.
As things stand, this is how we think a best Whites XI would currently look for Jesse Marsch's side.
The summer transfer window will close at 11pm on Thursday, September 1 and all eyes surround star Whites duo Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha on the potential outgoings front.
7. CM - Marc Roca
Leeds have shelled out around £10m to sign Roca from Bayern Munich to add strength in the middle of the park. A holding midfielder, he looks a likely starter as part of Marsch's two in front of the back four. Adam Forshaw, Mateusz Klich, Lewis Bate and Jamie Shackleton head the other options, plus Dallas when back.
Similar to Phillips in the sense of big question marks over whether or not the Whites can keep hold of their man. The class act Brazilian international is just about the first name on the team sheet if he stays. As with Phillips, must be replaced if he departs.
£25m new recruit Aaronson can play anywhere across the midfield but perhaps he will be used more centrally meaning a toss up between either Harrison or Dan James on the left, assuming James is not called for upfront again. Talented youngster Crysencio Summerville is waiting in the wings too.
The shape of United's first choice front two will surely be determined by what else Leeds do in the summer window but it might be that Aaronson starts almost as a no 10. Joe Gelhardt, though, is a must for more minutes whilst Rodrigo, Sam Greenwood and Tyler Roberts are other options too.
Injuries limited Bamford to just seven starts and 559 minutes of Premier League football last term but he remains United's main striker option and was set to return for the season finale at Brentford until Covid struck. Gelhardt is clearly an exciting talent but Leeds do need other options too.
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