Leeds United’s last two weeks of August show how quickly things can change in football.
After a dour 0-0 draw at West Bromwich Albion, supporters were not afraid to express their discontent both in the stands and on social media, which ultimately stemmed from a lack of signings.
Leeds had agreed to sell Georginio Rutter just a couple of days before and at that point, it felt like signings just were not going to happen.
However, fast forward to 5pm on Saturday evening, Leeds had just made it back-to-back 2-0 wins in the Championship, with three of their four new signings making their debuts.
Daniel Farke now has an array of options at his disposal and so here is what we think his new best XI and bench is after the end of the window.
Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper was not a position Farke felt necessary to upgrade and so Illan Meslier is Leeds’ number one for a fifth successive season.
Defence
Farke’s final signing Isaac Schmidt will finally provide the cover and competition he wanted at full-back for a number of weeks.
Like Sam Byram, Schmidt is capable of covering on both sides of the defence but may have to be patient for his opportunity, with fellow new signing Jayden Bogle, and Junior Firpo, the first choice pairing.
Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk have helped Leeds to three consecutive clean sheets and look as though they are firmly ahead of the returning Max Wober right now.
Midfield
Like Schmidt, Farke’s long awaited midfield signing also came on deadline day as long time target Ao Tanaka finally joined from Fortuna Dusseldorf.
Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev have started all four matches together so far this season but it would be fair to say both are at their best when just in front of the defence.
Unfortunately for Gruev, Ampadu is one of the first names on the teamsheet and so once Farke feels Tanaka is fully up to speed, the Bulgarian may have to settle for a place on the bench.
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Attack
The three positions behind the striker is arguably where Farke faces his toughest selection decisions right now.
The Leeds boss has Wilfried Gnonto, Manor Solomon, Largie Ramazani, Brenden Aaronson, Dan James and Joel Piroe all competing for those three spots.
On form, you would argue it was those that started on Saturday which are currently in Leeds’ best XI, meaning Gnonto, Aaronson and Solomon get the nod.
However, that is highly likely to change as the season goes on. Ramazani and Piroe both made impressive impacts from the bench against Hull City, while James shone the week before at Sheffield Wednesday.
Farke really does have some great options at his disposal, though when it comes to the man leading the line, it’s a no brainer. Mateo Joseph.
Best XI: Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Ampadu, Tanaka; Gnonto, Aaronson, Solomon; Joseph
Bench: Darlow, Byram, Wober, Schmidt, Gruev, Rothwell, James, Ramazani, Piroe
Notable absentees: Cairns, Crew, Gelhardt, Bamford
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