Myriad transfers are coming for Leeds United in a relentless two months which will see the current squad transformed before deadline day. Daniel Farke was clear on day one, after intense talks with Nick Hammond, the squad he inherits this week will not be the group he sends into battle from September 2 onwards.
The manager and interim football advisor, each hired within the last three weeks at Elland Road, will become critical figures in the reshaping of this relegated squad. Diego Llorente, Robin Koch and Brenden Aaronson will be the first of last season’s senior names to move on, but they will be far from the last.
While Farke is arriving relatively late in the summer compared to most close-season appointments, he has made it clear talks with Hammond began well before his eventual signature on Tuesday. They may be behind schedule, but this is not a group of decision-makers beginning from a standing start.
“We had some really good conversations and we spoke also intensively about the squad,” said Farke. “It's a huge task for us because it's always, after relegation, a little bit of a hangover for each and every club and many decisions have to be made.
READ MORE: Daniel Farke meets Leeds United squad in pre-season training at Thorp Arch in pictures
“Obviously, the group right now will not be the group at the end of August. So we need some good decisions with outgoings, but also with incomings. Nick will play a pivotal role during this upcoming period.
“It's a point we don't just start today (July 4) with some talks, but we had also the chance in recent days to speak already quite intensively about this. From now on it's official and right now we can even make some decisions, but so far, so good.
“We have a good relationship so far and I'm quite confident he will be a big help.”
There may only be 31 days between Leeds and their curtain-raiser with Cardiff City, but the end of the transfer window is still 57 days away. As chaotic and disruptive as windows can be once the season has started, United will need every one of those days to sculpt this squad.
Farke is already preparing people for deadline day action at Elland Road as they use every available hour. The German is confident, though, they will get the team to where they want it come September 2.
“It's a bit too early to speak about individual players right now,” he said. “It's also looking forward to meeting the players for the first time tomorrow (July 5).
“We already started, more or less, with a pre-season testing day on Monday. Today (July 4) it was more like individual performance due to the conditions and tomorrow will be the first time together on the pitch.
“It's also important for me to have the first impressions. I'm quite confident [at] the beginning of the season we'll have a good squad together and obviously it will last us a little bit until everything's done.
“Transfer windows always just ended on the final day and will end on the final day. It will be a busy two months, but I’m quite confident we'll have a good team at the end and also quite confident we can play a significant role also in the upcoming season.”
