Leeds United are well on the way when it comes to their signings this summer. Victor Orta has already completed deals for Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen, whilst various reports link Marc Roca, Takumi Minamino and Valentin Castellanos to the club as further targets.
A significant revamp of the first XI is necessary before next season, as the Whites badly struggled in 2021/22 and only avoided relegation back to the Championship on the final day of the Premier League season. However, while Leeds are keen to improve their team, they know that there is genuine interest from top clubs in their star players, Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha. The Whites are hopeful of agreeing a new contract with Phillips, although Raphinha is perhaps more likely to leave.
As such, here are two potential line-ups, in Jesse Marsch's two favoured formations of 4-2-2-2 and 4-2-3-1. For the purposes of this, Raphinha is presumed to have left, with Phillips remaining.
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4-2-2-2: Meslier, Kristensen, Llorente, Cooper, Firpo, Phillips, Roca, Aaronson, Minamino, Bamford, Castellanos
First up, in both shapes, the back four and the midfield two will remain the same. It seems most likely that the starting back four will be the one which started the final game of the season at Brentford, with Kristensen coming in at right back. Robin Koch and Pascal Struijk will be fighting hard for the two centre-back spots, although Llorente and Cooper seem to be the first choices at this time.
If Phillips remains at Elland Road, he will surely be first-choice as one of the two defensive midfielders. Bayern Munich's Roca is said to be the first choice target as another midfielder and the two could partner each other well. Phillips would be the more combative of the two, with Roca more of a deep playmaker.
In the attacking midfield positions, Jack Harrison might be harshly done by here as he impressed in Marsch's new tactics, but both new-signing Aaronson and transfer-linked Minamino are more natural in the narrower positions of the 4-2-2-2. They both played in those roles under Marsch at RB Salzburg.
Up front, Marsch will be desperate to have a fit Patrick Bamford next season and he will surely play the majority of the minutes he is fit for. New York City's Castellanos is one of the most high-profile striker links at the moment and he could be set to partner Bamford up front if he joined the Whites. Joe Gelhardt would be a strong option to partner either of the two.
4-2-3-1: Meslier, Kristensen, Llorente, Cooper, Firpo, Phillips, Roca, Minamino, Aaronson, Harrison, Bamford
In the alternative formation, Minamino would play the right wing position which he has primarily played at Liverpool. Aaronson would play as the central attacking midfielder, as he has done in Salzburg's 4-4-2 diamond shape under Matthias Jaissle since Marsch left the club.
This would see Harrison return to the team on the left, with Daniel James competing for the spot. Bamford would likely be the first choice for the lone striker role, although Castellanos would be able to take that role as well. Gelhardt could either be an option there or to replace Aaronson if needed.
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