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Charlie Wilson

What Leeds United's starting XI could look like next season following a busy transfer window

This summer represents a start of something new for Leeds United. Although it ended poorly, Marcelo Bielsa's reign at Leeds will no doubt be remembered fondly, guiding them back to the Premier League and impressing in their first season back.

But now, Jesse Marsch will look to build his own legacy in West Yorkshire, and this summer will be huge in deciding how successful he turns out to be. The American will know that he has work to do in rebuilding and moulding his squad after Leeds avoided relegation on the final day of the season in dramatic fashion, with Jack Harrison's last-gasp goal at Brentford helping to ensure their spot in the top flight.

They've had a solid start to the summer, signing Brendan Aaronson for £25million with his former RB Salzburg teammate Rasmus Kristensen reportedly also set to join the club in the coming days.

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But how could Leeds look on day one of the 2022/23 season? Here we take a look at players who have been linked to the club to predict how Leeds could line-up.

Goalkeeper: Illan Meslier

No questions asked here. The young Frenchman continues to improve and impress at the age of just 22. He's been linked with moves away at times, but Leeds look like they're going to keep hold of their stopper for at least another season. It would take a big offer to prise him away.

Defence: Rasmus Kristensen, Diego Llorente, Liam Cooper, Junior Firpo

Leeds United are a step closer to securing the signing of Danish right-back Rasmus Kristensen ahead of a move from RB Salzburg, with a move potentially coming this week.

The right-back scored 10 goals and registered eight assists for Red Bull Salzburg in 45 appearances this season — a total of 18 goal contributions from full-back - and would provide them with the attacking outlet that they're looking for.

Marsch will also look to Firpo to improve on his debut season, providing an attacking threat down the left flank.

We haven't seen too many centre-backs linked to Leeds so far this season, so for now, we'll stick with Llorente and Cooper - who will both want to improve on their outings last year.

Defensive midfield: Kalvin Phillips, Tyler Adams

Leeds United's summer being successful may well depend on Kalvin Phillips - if he stays or how he is replaced. We don't have to discuss how important he is to this team - he's one of the better central midfielders in the Premier League and was sorely missed last season.

Tyler Adams is an expansive midfielder who impresses most with his defensive qualities. A player coached by Marsch at Leipzig, he is also being linked to Elland Road. Leeds will hope that he's a partner and not a replacement for Phillips.

Attacking midfield: Brenden Aaronson, Jack Harrison

An exciting duo here as Jack Harrison comes in to the season off the back of a strong finish to the previous campaign, providing so much in the attacking positions down the flanks. It will be interesting to see how he performs playing slightly narrower in an attacking midfield role, but he's shown he's capable in a position in the final third.

New signing Aaronson will be trusted into a big role, but it remains to be seen what role he's used in. He has admitted that the attacking midfield role is his preferred one, and one which Marsch has used him in before.

Strikers: Takumi Minamino, Patrick Bamford

The Takumi Minamino links are not going away, which suggests this is one that Leeds United are serious on. It would be a magnificent signing if they could pull it off.

His offensive output at Liverpool this season was impressive, scoring 10 goals in 24 games and finishing as the fifth top scorer.

And he did all that whilst being used in different positions - off the ring-wing, as a striker and as an attacking midfielder.

He would fit in perfectly alongside Bamford, as the man who would look to drop a bit deeper with the likes of Bamford or Joe Geldhardt on the shoulder of the last man with Minamino as a 'false 9'.

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