Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has had to deal with some significant injuries so far this season as he plots his side’s assault on the Championship automatic promotion places.
The Leeds boss lost his first-choice central midfield pairing when Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev both picked up injuries six weeks ago, while summer signing Largie Ramazani is also sidelined with an ankle injury that he suffered in last month’s win over Watford.
It’s a testament to Leeds’ squad depth and Farke’s coaching that these absences have not derailed Leeds’ season, with the likes of Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell coming in and making an instant impact.
But what would Farke’s strongest Leeds United XI look like, when every player is fit? We take a look…
Goalkeeper – Illan Meslier
Despite Illan Meslier’s high-profile error at Sunderland, the Frenchman remains Leeds’ clear number one. Despite still being only 24, Meslier has plenty of experience, having turned out 200 times for the club and is well ahead of Karl Darlow in the Elland Road pecking order.
Defence – Jayden Bogle, Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk, Junior Fipro
Leeds’ miserly defence has been the bedrock of their early-season success, with a back-four that gives up very chances vital for the controlled style of football Daniel Farke wants to play.
Bogle has settled quickly since his move from Sheffield United, while Rodon and Struijk compliment each other well. Firpo has also been key, with Leeds missing his driving runs down the left when absent, as he will be for the club’s next two games after he was hit with a three-match ban on Saturday morning.
Central midfield – Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka, Brendan Aaronson
Here’s where we get the first big question mark. Ethan Amapdu and Ilia Gruev began the season as Farke’s first choice in the middle, but both were struck down with injury at the end of September, with Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell quickly stepping up and not missing a beat.
So how does the midfield look when everyone is fit? As club captain and one of last season’s best performers, Ampadu will surely return to the starting XI when fit. Tanaka has been one of the Championship’s best players over the last six weeks and is quickly making himself undroppable, so the hope is that he will be able to form an effective partnership with the Welshman.
Brendan Aaronson has got his head down and worked hard since his return from loan in the summer and has weighed in with four goals and an assist, making himself the best creative option in a central attacking midfield role.
Attack – Wilfried Gnonto, Mateo Joseph, Largie Ramazani
Leeds have a decent amount of options on the flanks, with Dan James unlucky not to make this XI, but Largie Ramazani was finding his stride before his injury and showed that he can offer the creative spark that Leeds look to from Crysnecio Summerville during the second half of the campaign. Wilfried Gnonto is also a cut above this level.
Mateo Joseph has had to share playing time with Joel Piroe of late, but the Spanish U21s international’s energy and pace makes him a more intriguing option, with Piroe has excelled in a supersub role that has seen him deliver a regular supply of goals from the bench that often settle games.
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