Leeds United have endured another busy week in the summer transfer market.
After endless speculation, Raphinha finally sealed a move to Barcelona on Friday, with the Whites bidding farewell to a player who has consistently proven himself to be a standout performer during his time at Elland Road.
The Brazilian’s exit represents a considerable, if somewhat expected, blow for Jesse Marsch, who will now be hoping to reinvest some of the winger’s transfer fee into bolstering his squad ahead of his side’s Premier League curtain-raiser against Wolves on August 6th.
In the meantime, however, Leeds have already been active in the market themselves, and deals for Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen, Darko Gyabi, Marc Roca, Luis Sinisterra, and Tyler Adams have notably altered the dressing room at Elland Road in recent months.
Taking all of that account, we’ve ran the rule over the Whites’ current squad - factoring in injuries and ignoring potential transfer speculation - to predict Marsch’s strongest starting XI as things stand at present.
Check out the lineup below...
7. CM: Marc Roca
Adam Forshaw, Mateusz Klich, Koch, Lewis Bate and the exciting 16-year-old Archie Gray are all options to partner Adams - as well as the injured Stuart Dallas upon his eventual return - but the chances are that summer signing Roca will get the nod after an impressive preseason campaign. | Getty Images
8. CAM: Brenden Aaronson
Charles De Ketelaere continues to be linked, but for now its Aaronson who will act as Leeds’ main creative presence in midfield. | Getty Images
9. RW: Luis Sinisterra
Capable of playing on either wing, the South American could be pushed out to the right to replace the recently-departed Raphinha - especially in the short term. | Getty Images
10. LW: Jack Harrison
Whichever winger Sinisterra plays on, you would imagine either Harrison or Dan James will start on the other. | Getty Images
11. ST: Patrick Bamford
The England international will feel like a new signing for the Whites this season, and while other forward targets are being linked, he remains likely to start on the opening day. | AFP /AFP via Getty Images