Leeds United are currently sat at the top of the Championship table during the last international break of the 2024/25 campaign, as they inch closer to promotion back to the Premier League.
The Whites missed out via the play-offs last season, losing to Southampton 1-0 at Wembley in the final, and will hope to go up automatically instead of having to rely on the post-season matches.
Earning promotion to the Premier League is only the first step, though, as Daniel Farke will then have to build a squad that is capable of avoiding instant relegation – something that he did not manage in two attempts with Norwich City.
This is why it is important that the 49ers provide the German head coach with all the ammunition he needs, and we have had a look at the dream Premier League starting XI that the board could build for Farke in the summer transfer window…
1 GK – Caoimhin Kelleher
Illan Meslier has been the number one for Leeds in recent seasons but he has not done enough to suggest that the club should rely on him as their number one next season.
The Frenchman has conceded a staggering 34.4 more goals than expected, based on post-shot xG, in his league career at Elland Road, which suggests that he has woefully underperformed as a shot-stopper.
Caoimhin Kelleher, who has been linked with a move to Leeds next season, has conceded 3.0 fewer than expected during his Premier League career as Liverpool’s number two, suggesting that he could come in as a far superior shot-stopper to bolster the team’s hopes of survival.
2 RB – Jayden Bogle
Jayden Bogle, who joined from Sheffield United last summer, has started all 36 of his appearances for Leeds in the Championship this season and could remain the first-choice right-back option next term.
3 CB – Nico Elvedi
Leeds were reportedly interested in a deal to sign Farke’s former Borussia Monchengladbach star Nico Elvedi in the January transfer window, but failed to get a move over the line as the Swiss star wants to play top-flight football.
The Whites could convince him to make the switch to Elland Road in the summer if they secure promotion to the Premier League, and he could compete with Joe Rodon for a starting berth.
Appearances
19
38
Tackles + interceptions per game
2.9
1.5
Clearances per game
5.8
4.5
Ground duel success rate
76%
66%
Aerial duel success rate
57%
57%
Fouls per game
0.4
0.7
As you can see in the table above, Elvedi has outperformed Rodon as an out-and-out defender in a bigger league, suggesting that he could come in to provide a solid presence at the heart of the backline.
4 CB – Pascal Struijk
Dutch defender Pascal Struijk could retain his place as a regular starter on the left side of the defence, both because of his leadership qualities – having captained the team on many occasions – and the fact that he is naturally left-footed and can comfortably play out from the back on that side.
5 LB – Hugo Bueno
TEAMtalk recently reported that Junior Firpo is ‘increasingly likely’ to leave when his contract expires in the summer, which will leave a hole to fill at left-back.
It was reported earlier this month that Leeds have their eye on Feyenoord defender Hugo Bueno, who is on loan from Wolves, as a possible replacement for Firpo.
Bueno has created four ‘big chances’ and registered three assists in 12 Eredivisie starts for Feyenoord this term, and could provide an attacking threat down the left flank for Leeds in the top-flight.
6 CM – Ao Tanaka
Ao Tanaka has been a revelation for Leeds in the middle of the park in the Championship, averaging 3.6 tackles and interceptions per game and a pass accuracy of 90%, and could be given a chance to showcase his quality in the Premier League.
7 CM – Ethan Ampadu
Ethan Ampadu, who started all 49 matches including the play-offs in the league last term, is the club captain and Farke could want his skipper in the engine room alongside Tanaka in the 2025/26 campaign – whether that is in the top-flight or the Championship.
8 RW – Jonathan Rowe
The Telegraph reported last summer that Leeds wanted to make a £7m bid for Norwich City forward Jonathan Rowe, but he ultimately joined Marseille on loan with an obligation to make it permanent for £17m this summer.
It was recently reported, however, that he has fallen down the pecking order in France and that Marseille are looking to instantly offload him in the summer, which would open the door for Leeds to return with another attempt to sign him.
Rowe scored 12 goals from just 5.36 xG in the Championship last term, whilst Dan James has scored ten goals from 9.22 xG this season, and he could be a ruthless finisher for the Whites in the top-flight if Farke can get the best out of him.
9 CAM – Wilfried Gnonto
Brenden Aaronson has been the go-to option in the number ten position for Leeds this season but his performances against the top sides suggest that he would struggle badly in the Premier League.
West Brom (A)
0
0
Burnley (H)
0
0
Sunderland (A)
0
0
Sheffield United (H)
0
0
Coventry (H)
0
0
Coventry (A)
0
0
Burnley (A)
0
0
Sunderland (H)
0
0
Sheffield United (A)
0
0
West Brom (H)
0
0
As you can see in the table above, he has failed to make an impact against any of the top six sides in his ten appearances against them, whilst Wilfried Gnonto has previously shown quality in the top-flight.
The Italian gem, who came on as the number ten against QPR last weekend, produced two goals and four assists in 14 starts in the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.
10 LW – Manor Solomon
Manor Solomon is currently on loan from Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds are reportedly interested in a deal to sign the winger, who has scored seven goals and provided seven assists in the league this term, permanently.
