The transfer window slammed shut last week and Jesse Marsch now knows the squad of players he will be working with until at least January. The Whites made nine additions over the summer, bolstering their first-team roster with the likes of Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams and Luis Sinisterra, who seem to have been a hit, so far.
They also added to their youth ranks with the signings of Sonny Perkins and Darko Gyabi from West Ham United and Man City respectively. It wasn’t the perfect window, with several moves for a senior striker proving to be unsuccessful, while Kalvin Phillips, Raphinha and Dan James all said their goodbyes.
However, Marsch will be confident he has the talent required to see progress over the coming weeks and months. Leeds have started the season reasonably well, picking up eight points from their first six outings with wins coming over Wolves and Chelsea, but there’s a long way to go and building on that will be key.
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With that in mind, here’s a look at Leeds’ strongest line-up now the transfer window has closed.
Goalkeeper: Illan Meslier
An obvious one. Meslier has been one of United’s best so far this season as he continues to mature and develop between the sticks at Elland Road.
The Frenchman has pulled off some phenomenal saves during the first six games of the campaign and it surely won’t be long before he works his way onto Didier Deschamps’ radar. The club have added Joel Robles to their goalkeeping ranks but he is rooted firmly behind Meslier in the pecking order.
Defence: Luke Ayling, Robin Koch, Liam Cooper, Junior Firpo
Ayling made his return from injury last Saturday at Brentford and he certainly made a case to reclaim the spot he has held since joining the club back in 2016. Of course, Rasmus Kristensen has joined the club over the summer and that right-back battle certainly looks set to intrigue.
Robin Koch has started the campaign very well and looks assured of his spot for the time being, while Liam Cooper just edges out Diego Llorente, who struggled at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday. Pascal Struijk has taken to the left-back role relatively well this season, but given Junior Firpo is the club’s only natural left-back, he probably gets the nod in any strongest XI.
Defensive midfield: Tyler Adams, Marc Roca
There isn’t really too much debate about Leeds’ strongest midfield two. Adams and Roca have started the season well and they look to be building a strong partnership together in the middle of the field.
Adam Forshaw is their closest challenger, it seems, but Sam Greenwood has been used regularly off the bench and Jesse Marsch will be keeping a close eye on Gyabi, too.
Attacking midfield: Luis Sinisterra, Brenden Aaronson, Jack Harrison
Dan James’ departure makes this a relatively straightforward decision, too, with Sinisterra, Aaronson and Harrison all catching the eye in recent weeks. Sinisterra has only made two Premier League starts but he’s marked both with a goal, while Aaronson has been arguably the club’s most impressive summer arrival.
Crysencio Summerville looks set to feature heavily off the bench, and Rodrigo, who looks better suited to the number nine role, in truth, can also play in the pocket.
Striker: Patrick Bamford
This decision may be tough on Rodrigo, who scored four goals for the Whites before being ruled out after dislocating his shoulder in the draw with Everton last week. But, Bamford is the club’s marquee striker and when he is fully fit, he will lead the line for the Whites this season.
Bamford has struggled with a number of injuries over the last year or so, with a groin issue being the latest, but he is being edged back into the action slowly and he may be ready to return to the starting line-up next week against Nottingham Forest.
Joe Gelhardt is expected to push Bamford this season, while Willy Gnonto’s progress will be watched carefully, too, having arrived from FC Zurich on deadline day. Mateo Joseph and Sonny Perkins seem to be scoring for fun in the under-21s ranks at present and Marsch will be keeping an eye on them.
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