Matt Kilgallon has told The Mail (June 25, page 95) that Leeds United should build their squad around senior stars Liam Cooper and Luke Ayling – and youngsters Charlie Cresswell, Joe Gelhardt and 17-year-old ace Archie Gray.
Leeds are set for a tumultuous summer once a new manager is appointed, with many players likely to leave the club. Due to relegation, plenty will go. Diego Llorente, Rasmus Kristensen, Robin Koch, Marc Roca and Rodrigo are close.
Illan Meslier, Junior Firpo, Tyler Adams, Luis Sinisterra, Jack Harrison, Willy Gnonto, Brenden Aaronson and others have also been linked with the exit door. It is easier to ask who will stay, than which players will leave this summer.
Ex-Leeds defender Kilgallon understands Leeds will need a rebuild. He says whoever does take charge of the club, which looks likely to be Daniel Farke, should build the team around Cooper, Ayling, Cresswell, Gelhardt and Gray.
“Players will leave and next season’s squad will be completely different. It will be built around stalwarts like Luke Ayling and Liam Cooper and youngsters such as Charlie Cresswell, Joe Gelhardt and Archie Gray,” Kilgallon said.
Kilgallon: Leeds should build squad around Cooper, Ayling & youngsters
Cooper and Ayling have the know how. They are the glue in that dressing room, along with Adam Forshaw and Stuart Dallas. Those four players will be key in improving the morale of the dressing room, if Forshaw signs on.
Then, Leeds will need raw talent. Legs. Cresswell has got to be the player Leeds form their defence around, unless the club move for Liverpool’s Nat Phillips. Cody Drameh on the right. Gray, who is yet to make his senior debut.
Gelhardt up front. Georginio Rutter, if he stays. Crysencio Summerville again, if he stays out wide. So, Leeds have the platform, we have the mix of experience and plenty of young talent. A few signings here and there, who knows.
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