Leeds United are going to be a ‘force to be reckoned with’ next season in the Championship according to chairman Paraag Marathe and the work has already begun.
The summer transfer window opens on June 14 and this summer Leeds have a head start on the work they did in 2023 following 49ers Enterprises’ takeover from Andrea Radrizzani and the appointment of Daniel Farke as manager. Marathe has backed Farke to remain in post and lead a second promotion charge, after the first one ended with a play-off final defeat at Wembley on Sunday.
Speaking on Tuesday morning, Marathe insisted that squad building work was already underway. He said: “It’s already started, there’s no rest for the weary, not time off. Will people spend some time with their families? I certainly hope they will but we’ll be burning batteries on our phones even when we’re on breaks because there’s really no rest. We started that before the final and we want to take advantage of this extra time we have. If we can get 90 points with not even putting together our leadership team until essentially the end of July, with playing the first month of the season with one hand tied behind our back and still end the season with 90 points, I’m really excited about what we can do with a full off-season building this squad in this league. We’re going to be a force to be reckoned with, I’m confident in that.”
The frantic, often chaotic and last-gasp nature of the summer 2023 window is not expected to be the theme of the one about to open. Leeds have far fewer transfer release clauses to deal with and Marathe considers them to hold greater strength when it comes to outgoing business than last summer, when so many players held their own keys to escape. Sales will be necessary due to the Championship’s Profitability and Sustainability regulations and a transfer fee ‘credit card bill’ Marathe says they inherited when they took over the club, but he has reassured fans that the summer will be just as much about in-coming business and putting a team on the pitch that is as competitive as ‘legally possible’ within the P&S rules. There are some huge decisions to make, though, not least who can be sold to ease the financial picture without damaging the team’s promotion prospects, and who can be persuaded to stay should big offers from elite clubs land in the window. Some individuals’ immediate futures are easier to predict than others, but here is the YEP’s first look at who will stay and who might go.
1. Illan Meslier
A player on whom opinion can be so divided. Had a more solid season in the Championship, with better protection. Distribution was an issue and build-up sometimes suffered. If someone came in with a big bid, which would mean profit, Leeds would have to consider it. But will anyone? Not sure I can see it this summer. If he remains he’ll need a stiffer challenge than Darlow has provided.
2. Karl Darlow
Though he signed a three-year deal last summer and was supposed to properly compete with Meslier, Darlow played two league games. A thumb injury hampered him but his four appearances in total did little to put pressure on Meslier. The contract and his age makes staying feel more likely than departing.
3. Kris Klaesson
Probably should have left last summer to go and start being a goalkeeper somewhere else. Ended the campaign with two league appearances but he’s clearly down the pecking order and with a year left on his deal an exit feels ever more inevitable
4. Sam Byram
Leeds need more experience next season, not less, so another year-long contract for Byram seems a no-brainer. That’s not to say they should or can rely on him to play a full season but as a support act or an option he’s a good one to have around.
5. Jamie Shackleton
His contract is up in the summer and though you could see Leeds offering a new deal to keep him as a utility player, at 24 he needs to go and play now. Sticking around this season brought just 11 league appearances and four minutes since the turn of the year. He’s Leeds, but he’s a footballer too.
6. Cody Drameh
A free agent who will depart and likely join a Championship side to continue his development. There’s a good player in there, a really promising talent. His time at Leeds was not managed well, generally.
7. Rasmus Kristensen
Despite initially seeming keen to stay, Kristensen soon headed for the exit with his loan clause. Whether or not it re-activates, he’ll go this summer – permanently or on loan once more. Did little to build much stock with fans in his debut season in any case.
8. Connor Roberts
Though he undoubtedly loved playing for the club and brought a lot to the dressing room, it never really happened on the pitch in any sustained way. Burnley unlikely to loan to a divisional promotion rival. Goodbye to the ‘tache
9. Junior Firpo
One of the surprises of the season. Who saw him staying? Who saw a scenario in which fans sang his name with fondness? Did well for the most part, added a real threat going forward. A more defensive left-back would be an ideal addition but you could see Firpo staying and a decision being made at the end of next season when his contract runs out. That’s a natural fire break for both parties
10. Max Wober
Goes, permanently. He has to really. Some of those who left last summer on loan made no secret of their desire to escape. The club felt Wober was different and was inclined to stay. And then he did leave. Most fans wouldn’t want him back. A player they could at least break even on.
11. Joe Rodon
He’s not a Leeds player, he’s a Spurs player. Could you see him making the move permanently? Yes. But only at the right price. Leeds will not be able to afford any ‘Brit tax’ that Tottenham might apply. Not when another loanee or Cresswell could do the job. Similar money that was paid out for Ampadu though and then Leeds could be in business.
12. Charlie Cresswell
Didn’t really get a look in and the small chance he had wasn’t really taken. Difficult to see a reason why he’d stay unless suddenly gametime assurances appear. The picture at centre-back is complicated but if sold he represents pure profit. A decent offer and would either party say no?
13. Liam Cooper
The writing has been on the wall for some time. At 32 he’s too young for a non-playing role. There is no definitive decision on the club’s behalf yet to release, rather than offer a new deal. He’ll have Championship offers. A parting, just shy of 10 years will be painful but it’s to be expected.
14. Diego Llorente
He’s not coming back, is he? Just played a season in Serie A, making 40-plus appearances. He’s not suddenly going to want Championship football and Leeds aren’t likely to suddenly accept 2023 deserters. Sold this summer.
15. Ethan Ampadu
It would be no surprise to see him take on the role of club captain this summer. A player Leeds will be desperately keen to keep hold of and one who will be desperate to right the wrong of this season’s ending. An important piece of the puzzle.
16. Pascal Struijk
The big man was a big miss in the second half of the season, not least because Ampadu couldn’t play in midfield. Struijk was a big part of Leeds’ possession game and will be again next season. Stays and plays.
17. Ilia Gruev
Stays. Showed himself to be a good option for the defensive midfield role. Covered huge distances, quietly went about his business. Good competition for Ampadu if the Welshman moves into midfield again.
18. Archie Gray
Gray’s camp and family have always been big on the following question – where will you play? Leeds will play him, as they did this season, whereas a big Premier League club might not, not to the same degree. Another year won’t hurt his career. But can Leeds withstand a big bid? Marathe wasn’t exactly bullish on that front. Despite that, and call me a foolish footballing romantic, I think he just might stay.
19. Marc Roca
Some fans started to get excited about the prospect of his ball-playing ability in the Championship, until he revealed he could go on loan again next season. If Leeds can recoup their money and find a buyer that he’d accept, they’ll sell. If not, loaned out
