A return to the Premier League – which looks increasingly likely now for Leeds United – will bring about debates aplenty regarding the make up of Daniel Farke’s squad.
How many changes will really be required? How much money do Leeds United need to spend?
Can some of the finest, most consistent performers in the Championship – see Joe Rodon, Ethan Ampadu, Ao Tanaka and Joel Piroe – make the step up to the high-pressure environment of the Premier League?
And of those with top-flight experience on their CVs, should the likes of Junior Firpo, Patrick Bamford and Illan Meslier be retained?
Junior Firpo’s contract at Leeds expires this summer and Daniel Farke has offered no real certainty yet about what the future may hold for a man currently top of the club’s assist charts. A decision on Bamford looks far more straightforward considering the size of his wages and the limits of his impact.
Goalkeeper Meslier, meanwhile, could yet be the toughest call the Leeds United bosses have to make.
Illan Meslier future uncertain as Leeds United eye Aaron Ramsdale
Farke’s side moved five points clear at the top of the Championship table on Monday night. But they needed a second late fightback in the space of a week to see off title rivals Sheffield United, The Blades taking an early lead thanks to an own goal from a man who had already endured a couple of nervy moments before deflecting Tyrese Campbell’s header into his net.
Speaking exclusively to Leeds United News, football correspondent Graeme Bailey believes that Meslier’s future at Elland Road is far from certain.
Leeds are looking Southampton’s Aaron Ramsdale, while Liverpool back-up Caomhin Kelleher and Burnley’s clean sheet hoarder James Trafford may also be on the market. There is no shortage of potential replacements, then, should The Whites look to cash in on a goalkeeper who would earn them a considerable profit on that £5 million investment.
“The goalkeeper situation will be fascinating. Ramsdale, Trafford, Kelleher, there are some outstanding ones available,” Bailey explains.
“I’m getting the sense that Meslier might very well move back to France or move elsewhere. It might suit all parties.
“Ramsdale is a player of interest. They are assessing the goalkeeper situation and he’s on the market. He is firmly on the radar.”
Southampton goalkeeper has a lot of qualities Daniel Farke likes
England international Aaron Ramsdale feels very much like a tailor-made Daniel Farke goalkeeper.
The German likes his go-to number one to contribute to the build-up when Leeds are in possession. And while Ramsdale’s reputation may have taken a hit since losing his place at Arsenal to David Raya back in 2023, it is only a couple of years since the former Sheffield United and Bournemouth glovesman was viewed as not only one of the Premier League’s finest shot-stoppers but also one of the Premier League’s finest distributors.
TBR Football reports that Ramsdale has a relegation clause in his contract. Southampton, for whom a return to the Championship is surely only a matter of time, are expected to recoup most if not all of the £25 million fee they paid last summer.
As for the man he could replace in West Yorkshire, Leeds legend Dominic Matteo praised Illan Meslier for the way he bounced back from an early Bramall Lane blunder. The Frenchman, in his defence, barely put a foot wrong after a punishing first 20 minutes.
“The goalkeeper had a few moments but he’s recovered,” Matteo said. “That is what good players do. They get better.
“All round in that second-half, it was a joy to watch. We dominated. We looked the better team by a country mile.
“A couple of changes we made really helped. What we have seen is a team who, when we are going behind, are recovering and getting better. That is one thing we couldn’t do last season. Now, we are doing it.
“All over the pitch, everyone has done well.”
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