Leeds United made eight new additions to their squad in the summer, with the Whites building a squad of 23 first-team players for their latest promotion push.
They are looking to go one better than last season under Daniel Farke and secure their place back in the Premier League, and have added quality and experience to their squad despite the fact there were far more players in the outgoings column compared to incomings.
However, there are still a few fringe players who are unlikely to be a consistent part of Farke’s plans over the course of the next few months, unless an injury crisis strikes Leeds. They are currently in the midst of one in some areas of the squad, with central midfield, centre-back, and out wide all problem areas for the club at present.
In the coming months, it will become clearer where each player’s place in the pecking order is, as not every player can play their part if they are seen as back up or just a depth player in some areas. There are also those players who require a vital development loan, in order to gain first-team experience, perhaps.
Many of the fundamental pieces of Farke’s side this season are already becoming clearer by the game and senior football or winning game time elsewhere will be the target for many players if they are struggling to get into his plans consistently.
Leeds need all the players they can get currently, but things can change quickly in football. Therefore, here, we take a look at two of the most likely players to be seeking an exit come the January transfer window, be that on loan or permanently to find a new home and regular game time.
Joe Gelhardt
The Whites may need to lean on a player of Gelhardt’s versatility for now, but the youngster could have been forgiven for thinking he would have a larger role with Leeds in their two seasons in the second tier so far, as opposed to languishing within Leeds’ reserves or on the fringes of the first-team with very little game time to speak of last term or this season.
Had Leeds achieved promotion through the Championship play-offs, Gelhardt’s exit from the club would surely have been accelerated. Last season, the 22-year-old was cast out of the starting picture by Farke and has failed to regularly and meaningfully break into his plans.
Gelhardt’s long-term future in West Yorkshire is unclear, with his development stalling over the last couple of seasons. However, there is promise there, and the club could instead seek a loan in order to get his career back on track, with the idea of utilising him in 2025/26 instead; alternatively, they could move him on for an increased transfer fee if he impresses.
Gelhardt has reached a crossroads, having previously benefitted from a second tier loan before. With just under three years left on his Leeds contract, it is paramount that he secures first-team football soon to help him further realise his potential with regular second tier gametime.
Of course, he could be used as a versatile forward, capable of playing off the right-hand flank or as a second-striker/attacking midfielder, but his place in the pecking order is incredibly far down in most forward areas without long-term injuries, due to Leeds’ strength in depth in attack.
From Gelhardt’s perspective, with his development stalling over the last couple of seasons, he is surely in a position where the short-term has to be regular football. He may play some minutes between now and January, but their significance is likely to be low. But there is obvious talent there which he has seldom been able to showcase.
He is behind wingers such as Willy Gnonto, Dan James, Largie Ramazani, and Manor Solomon. Not only that, but Brenden Aaronson, Joel Piroe, Mateo Joseph, and Patrick Bamford cover Leeds in central areas, which makes it difficult to see much game time unless Solomon and James’ injury issues persist.
Max Wober
Max Wöber is suffering from a fresh injury concern after recovering from his early-season calf problem, with meniscus troubles in his knee meanung that the latest is that he is set to undergo surgery this week on the knee issue. Farke stated that it will be six weeks until the Austrian is back in training.
It’s untimely, to say the least. Wöber has been reintegrated into Farke’s plans at Leeds, but his game time will also be vital between now and January in seeing where his future lies for the remainder of the 2024/25 campaign. With so little depth to speak of in defensive areas, he would likely be very useful, but the injury has put that possibility on hold.
He was one of several first-teamers to secure loan exits from Elland Road during the summer window of 2023. He activated the loan clause in his contract and moved to Borussia Mönchengladbach in the Bundesliga after just six months at Leeds.
Even if he is not playing regular football, he is a useful squad player to have, but the Austrian international defender only joined the Whites in January of last year. His reputation is intact after a fairly decent spell on loan in the Bundesliga, and there remains every chance he has permanent suitors in a top-flight league somewhere come the time January’s window opens.
There is still every chance that he leaves the club should they receive a viable transfer offer this January, even without regular football. Wöber should be a saleable asset for Leeds but his departure would be contingent on at least one defensive incoming, if not more in Leeds’ current state.
He is behind Pascal Struijk and Joe Rodon in the centre-back pecking order, and Junior Firpo in the same regard at left-back. Obviously, if he is reintegrated and features well, then he could provide solid depth and cover for the rest of the year, but there is every chance he will grow unhappy at his lack of regular football, and may well be looking for a way out of West Yorkshire
In spite of Farke’s recent comments regarding the 26-year-old’s future and the fact that his side are extremely thin at the back in terms of numbers, which perhaps hands Wöber that opportunity to impress, it would not be a shock to any Leeds fan if they are looking for a replacement central defender soon.
The starting duo appear to be set in stone for now. The question then becomes one of whether he is happy to be a bit-part player and not a part of Leeds’ best XI, which it’s hard to argue that Wöber is currently. The crucial thing from his point of view is that he should not be short of interest from major European leagues due to his exploits last season.
