Leeds United kick off their Premier League season on August 18th with a game against Everton at Elland Road. Before then, Daniel Farke’s side play their last pre-season friendly against AC Milan on Saturday.
Leeds United have enjoyed a strong summer in the transfer window so far, signing seven new players and spending almost half of their reported £150m transfer budget.
The last player to arrive was goalkeeper Lucas Perri who will replace Illan Meslier in goal ahead of the new season. Meanwhile, on the pitch, results have been rather mixed so far.
In their first pre-season game this summer, Leeds drew 0-0 with Manchester United in Sweden before a pre-season tour of Germany which saw wins over SC Verl and Paderborn. Leeds then drew 1-1 with Villarreal in their last outing.
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Two players who look in form at Leeds United right now
Joel Piroe
Joel Piroe has been in prolific form so far this summer. The Dutchman won the Championship Golden Boot last season with 19 goals in 45 championship games and he’s so far scored four goals this summer.
Piroe was on target against Villarreal with one against Paderborn and two against Verl in the previous games. Right now, Piroe is Farke’s number one striker option and he could well be leading the line against Everton on August 18th with Mateo Joseph poised to leave Leeds United and Patrick Bamford well out of contention.
Depending on who arrives at Leeds United this summer, Piroe could be the main striker for Leeds next season but he’s giving fans hope that he can make the step up to the Premier League this summer.
Wilfried Gnonto
Wilfried Gnonto was also on target against Paderborn. The Italian looks set for a renaissance at Elland Road after falling out of the starting XI in the second half of last season.
For Farke, a new right-sided midfielder is needed after Manor Solomon returned to pre-season training with Spurs, and whilst it looked like Leeds United were desperate to sign Igor Paixao from Feyenoord, that missed deal could now see Gnonto start the season as the right-sided attacker.
And if he impresses then he could make that position his for the entirety of the campaign. Like with Piroe, the signs are positive for Gnonto this summer.
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Two Leeds United players who we’ve yet to see the best of
Dan James
Dan James is yet to really make an impression this summer. The Welshman won the Leeds United Player of the Season award last time round and then James was rewarded with a new long-term contract at Elland Road going into this summer.
However, it looks as though the Welshman’s injury at the start of the summer has given him something of a setback ahead of the Premier League opener later this month. There is still a friendly game for James to get back up to speed ahead of new season, but Farke will want him to find form as soon as possible with the 27-year-old bound to play another important role for Leeds United next season.
Sean Longstaff
Sean Longstaff has the potential to be the signing of the summer for Leeds United, but so far we’re yet to really see the best of the former Newcastle United man. Leeds United paid £15million to sign Longstaff, and he’ll no doubt be a starter for Leeds United in the midfield throughout much of next season.
In his handful of appearances so far this summer though, Longstaff hasn’t looked exactly like his best, being outshone by Anton Stach in the midfield. Like with James, there is still plenty of time for Longstaff to get up to speed, and he’ll no doubt prove his worth in the very near future.
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