When the January transfer window has closed and the dust has settled on a manic month around the Premier League, Leeds United will be feeling pretty content. The Whites bagged four new signings over the course of January to strengthen the squad at Jesse Marsch’s disposal and they’ll be confident about their ability to climb the table over the coming months.
Max Wober arrived within the first few days of the month from Red Bull Salzburg and more than looks the part. That was before the Whites broke their transfer record to bag Georginio Rutter from German club Hoffenheim to bolster the club’s attacking ranks.
Rutter has only played once for the Whites so far, but he showed glimpses of his talent in the win over Accrington Stanley and he’ll be keen to kick on in the coming months as he prepares to make a Premier League debut. Weston McKennie was added to the ranks this week from Juventus on an initial loan deal, while young defender Diogo Monteiro was announced on deadline day.
Read more: Leeds United braced for tough Jack Harrison transfer deadline day decision
With Leeds’ transfer business in mind, LeedsLive take a look at the club’s current best XI.
Goalkeeper
Illan Meslier
This one doesn’t need too much explaining. Meslier is Leeds’ best goalkeeper and you won’t find many people disputing that.
The Frenchman has been in superb form this season for the Whites and with Hugo Lloris and Steve Mandanda retiring from international duty after the World Cup, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Meslier called up to the senior squad for the first time in March.
Defence
Luke Ayling, Robin Koch, Max Wober, Pascal Struijk
Leeds’ best back four has changed frequently throughout the season so far and it could change again with defensive competition for places there to see across the board. Luke Ayling gets the nod at right-back over Rasmus Kristensen, having established himself as the first choice once more.
Kristensen has struggled to settle completely into Jesse Marsch’s side at Elland Road and the performances of Ayling have seen him snatch the spot from the Dane. Robin Koch seems nailed on as Leeds’ best right-sided centre-back, but on the left there’s a tough call to make, with Wober and captain Liam Cooper competing for the nod.
Cooper has plenty to offer the side, of course, but after starting so positively, Wober might just edge it at this current moment in time. The Austrian has really caught the eye in a number of his positions, but supporters may be keen to see him build on what looks to be a promising partnership with Koch.
If Wober is at centre-back, Pascal Struijk gets the nod at left-back, as he has done all season long.
Midfield
Marc Roca, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie
McKennie hasn’t made the move to Elland Road to sit on the bench and his arrival instantly improves Marsch’s best midfield line-up. He’s versatile, meaning he would slot perfectly into either a midfield two or a three and he already knows Tyler Adams’ game, having come through the US soccer system together.
Both McKennie and Adams fit into Leeds’ best XI, with the latter establishing himself as Leeds’ best piece of summer business over the first few months of the campaign. Roca is included, too, but his spot in the side isn’t quite as secure.
The Spaniard’s form has been up and down lately and his spot will be the one being targeted by the likes of Sam Greenwood, Adam Forshaw, Darko Gyabi and even Brenden Aaronson.
Attack
Georginio Rutter, Rodrigo, Wilfried Gnonto
Rutter is only 20 years old, but Leeds pushed the boat out to bag him for a club record fee and he’ll have a key role to play over the next few months. He showed glimpses of his talents against Accrington on Saturday and it seems likely that he’ll be handed a Premier League bow this weekend when the Whites go to Nottingham Forest.
Of course, Leeds have Crysencio Summerville, Aaronson and Luis Sinisterra who are competing for spots in the side, while Leicester City-linked Jack Harrison is also still at Elland Road, at the time of writing at least. Rodrigo gets the nod up front without question, at present.
The forward has got 12 goals to his name already this season and he’s currently fifth in the Premier League goalscoring charts. Despite the fitness of Patrick Bamford, Rodrigo is the man who leads the line in Leeds’ best XI and he has Gnonto on his left shoulder.
Gnonto has been nothing short of a revelation since breaking into the side just before the World Cup break. His confidence and ability to run with the ball regularly has fans on their feet and while he has only made eight Premier League appearances, he has established himself as one of the first names on Marsch’s teamsheet.
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