90min
·3 August 2022
90min
·3 August 2022
For the first time since 2018/19, Leeds will start a new season without the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa. These days, it's Jesse Marsch calling the shots at Elland Road.
The American managed to lead Leeds away from the relegation zone last season and, after some major upheaval in the transfer market, now has the task of leading an assault on the top half of the Premier League table.
There are a lot of unknowns about Leeds heading into this new campaign, but here's a look at what you can expect.
The biggest news at Elland Road this summer has concerned outgoings. Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips both departed in lucrative deals to Barcelona and Man City respectively, leaving Leeds without the two players who many fans would have described as their top duo.
Those in charge haven't been afraid to reinvest that money, however, with fascinating moves for Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams and Luis Sinisterra headlining what promises to be an intriguing rebuild.
Numbers subject to change before end of transfer window
1) Illan Meslier2) Luke Ayling3) Junior Firpo4) Adam Forshaw5) Robin Koch6) Liam Cooper7) Brenden Aaronson8) Marc Roca9) Patrick Bamford11) Jack Harrison12) Tyler Adams13) Kristoffer Klaesson14) Diego Llorente15) Stuart Dallas16) Sonny Perkins17) Helder Costa18) Darko Gyabi19) Rodrigo20) Daniel James21) Pascal Struijk23) Luis Sinisterra25) Rasums Kristensen30) Joe Gelhardt33) Leo Fuhr Hjelde37) Cody Drameh38) Crysencio Summerville42) Sam Greenwood43) Mateusz Klich44) Mateusz Bogusz
With Phillips and Raphinha gone, you can't help but feel like Leeds are going to need a full team effort to get by this year. That being said, a return to form (and fitness) for striker Patrick Bamford would be a very welcome gift.
After 17 goals and eight assists in 2020/21, Bamford was restricted to just two goals in nine games last year. It's no wonder Leeds struggled, and if he can't shake these issues off, then look to winger Jack Harrison to try and shoulder the majority of the load.
It's all about the new signings this year. Sinisterra is intriguing and Adams is thoroughly exciting, but the one that gets the mouth watering more than most is 21-year-old American Brenden Aaronson, who has been on the cusp of a major break-out for a good few years now.
The consensus at both Salzburg and the United States national team is that Aaronson is destined for superstardom, and while it may take him a little while to find his feet in the Premier League, the sky really is the limit for the attacking midfielder.
Having lost both Raphinha and Phillips, Leeds are putting a lot of faith in their new signings to revert last year's slide down the Premier League table.
Does their squad look stronger this season than it did last year? It's a complete unknown at the minute. How the new faces will adjust is anyone's guess, but chances are it'll take a little longer than this Leeds side can realistically afford to give.
Marsch's side should survive, aided by the fact there are a handful of weaker sides facing similar struggles, and they should hopefully be able to use this year as a springboard for further success in 2023/24.