This summer is enormous for Leeds United. Arguably their most-important transfer window in years as the club look to build a squad capable of Premier League survival.
The Whites were in the same position back in the summer of 2020 under Victor Orta’s stewardship in the transfer market, but the gap has widened between the Championship and the Premier League these days.
Not only is it crucial that Leeds get their recruitment right, but it is Adam Underwood’s first window as the club’s new sporting director. Leeds have promoted Underwood to the role of the club’s sporting director.
It comes as Angus Kinnear looks set to steal Nick Hammond from Leeds with both off to join the Everton revolution after The Friedkin Group’s £400m takeover. But, Underwood is about to make his first mistake.
Leeds are set to allow Elland Road favourite leave for nothing
Leeds have several decisions to make to their squad before adding to it. Five players will leave as things stand, if The 49ers and Underwood do not take action – though Leeds want Manor Solomon to sign.
Joe Rothwell is also only on loan while Junior Firpo, Josuha Guilavogui and Sam Byram will see their deals expire. Ethan Ampadu called for “two more years” of Byram during Leeds’ open-top bus parade.
But reports say that Leeds will not extend Byram’s contract at Elland Road this summer and allow him to leave on a free. It could be Underwood’s first mistake as sporting director, for two important reasons.
Two reasons why letting Sam Byram leave is a big mistake
Yes, Byram is injury prone and no, Byram is probably not Premier League standard. However, Byram is dependable, a player with Premier League experience. Simon Grayson says Byram is an “unsung hero”.
But there are two reasons why Byram is one player Leeds should keep. The first is that Daniel Farke needs players behind the starting XI that he can trust, ones that won’t kick up a stink if they are not playing.
Leeds will lose games next season and morale will dip. Players will question why they aren’t playing, if they aren’t. But Byram has the kind of attitude that means he will be happy to just provide back-up.
That is a rare commodity that should not be undervalued, and is good for the dressing room. The other is that Byram is a homegrown player, having come through the Thorp Arch academy during his teens.
Leeds require a handful of those due to Premier League registration rules. Handing Byram another 12 months makes sense for all involved, and Underwood cannot make the mistake of letting him go.
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