It is now less than a month until Leeds United begin their Premier League campaign when they welcome Everton to Elland Road on Monday night on August 18.
The squad are currently in Germany after Saturday’s friendly against Manchester United in Stockholm, where they will play two pre-season friendlies behind closed doors before returning to face Villarreal.
The clash against Villarreal at Elland Road takes place on August 2, and a week later, Leeds will hop over to Ireland to face Milan at the Aviva Stadium. Then, David Moyes and Angus Kinnear come to Yorkshire.
So far, Leeds have made five signings with a sixth expected in the next day or two, in the form of Anton Stach. Adam Underwood has sorted out the defence and the midfield, but three new signings are needed.
Exact starting XI that Underwood wants Farke to field v Everton
Which players retain starting spots from last season?
If there was one player that caught the eye on Saturday, it was Jayden Bogle. Man United fans were even left impressed and the £5m man will certainly be in the starting line-up when Leeds play host to Everton.
As will Joe Rodon, a mainstay at the back. Farke often describes Ethan Ampadu as the club’s most crucial player, and he will continue in midfield. As will 24-25 Player of the Season, Dan James, on the right flank.
If Farke and Leeds had their wish, new signing Jaka Bijol would start alongside Joe Rodon as he did on Saturday. But Bijol carries over a suspension from Serie A, meaning Pascal Struijk could get the nod.
Which new signings will start against Everton and which won’t?
Of the six – including Stach – that Leeds have signed so far, LeedsUnited.News predicts three will come into the starting line-up. As stated, Bijol would normally get the nod, but he is suspended for Everton.
Pascal Struijk surely starts. At left-back, £10m arrival Gabriel Gudmundsson will come in for Junior Firpo in a straight swap. Then, it’s all change in midfield. Farke is set to change from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3 system.
It takes Brenden Aaronson and the need for a no.10 out, and packs the midfield. With Ampadu sitting deeper, it is easy to imagine a midfield with two no.8’s given license to get forward and join the attack.
A similar system that worked well under Marcelo Bielsa. One pivot, two attacking midfielders. Both Stach and Sean Longstaff could both start, with Ao Tanaka’s lack of physicality a concern for those at Leeds.
Up top, a new signing is expected to come in above Lukas Nmecha while Sebastiaan Bornauw has only been brought in to replace Max Wober. Both signings from Wolfsburg are likely to start on the bench.
What Underwood still needs to do in the market come August 18…
Three positions remain unaccounted for. Who starts in goal, who starts in place of Manor Solomon on the left flank, and who goes up top. Nmecha is only expected to be back-up to a marquee signing up front.
On the left, Igor Paixao is first choice but Leeds are waiting to see the result of Marseille’s talks with Feyenoord for Paixao. In goal, Lyon’s Lucas Perri seems the priority but Perri has just picked up an injury.
Leeds have seen a £32m bid rejected for Fulham’s Muniz but there is growing hope a deal can be done for the Brazilian. The Sun say Muniz is open to joining Leeds this summer, with Fulham wanting £50m.
Graham Smyth says Leeds are pursuing deals for Perri, Paixao and Muniz. A trio of Brazilians. Underwood will be desperate to get all three signed in time to face Everton when they come to town on the 18th.
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