Leeds United followers will already be nervous about their workforce’s promotion probabilities within the Championship, regardless of the very fact the Whites are solely 15 video games deep into the marathon of the second-tier marketing campaign.
Supporters that pack out Elland Highway are far too used to heartbreak on the massive event, particularly in the case of attempting to leap again as much as the Premier League, with a 1-0 playoff last defeat earlier this 12 months to Southampton nonetheless little question stinging.
After all, there’s additionally the agony they skilled beneath Marcelo Bielsa – earlier than triumphantly successful the league in 2020 – after Frank Lampard’s Derby County took nice enjoyment of toppling the West Yorkshire giants over two legs within the playoff semi finals the 12 months prior.
With Leeds simply exterior of these prime two computerized promotion spots on the time of writing, the die-hard Whites plenty will simply be fearing one other disastrous near-miss is on the horizon.
Away from all that pessimism, nevertheless, there may be loads to nonetheless latch onto that is optimistic, with Daniel Farke boasting two promotions as much as the top-flight on his managerial CV, and many extra may come from his regular Leeds aspect who’ve solely tasted defeat twice in league motion so far.
Alongside that, the January switch window additionally offers Leeds enough time to strengthen forward of a vital 2025, with this being what their lineup may appear like come February subsequent 12 months when glancing at some vital switch rumours…
1
GK – Illan Meslier
Though Illan Meslier has been suspect of some shaky shows this season in objective, he’s prone to stay because the Leeds primary shot-stopper transferring ahead.
The 24-year-old has picked up a formidable 9 clear sheets from his 15 Championship video games so far, which included a shut-out coming his approach versus Queens Park Rangers simply earlier than the worldwide break.
2
RB – Jayden Bogle
Jayden Bogle can also be prone to stay as Leeds’ essential right-back in early 2025, contemplating he was solely bought this summer season.
Alongside the very fact he is nonetheless a fresh-faced recruit, the previous Sheffield United man has additionally shone in spurts for Farke’s aspect by selecting up two league targets as an attack-minded possibility on the precise.
3
CB – Joe Rodon
Joe Rodon was additionally one other summer season buy made by Farke to shore up the defence in West Yorkshire and he has develop into an ever-present beneath the German’s steerage within the second tier.
He was notably spectacular in opposition to Plymouth Argyle in early November, amassing 98 touches as an assured however imposing centre-back determine.
4
CB – Pascal Struijk
Pascal Struijk has additionally been top-drawer this marketing campaign so far after discovering his 2023/24 season was largely stop-start owing to damage points.
The 25-year-old is now making up for misplaced time, with two targets bagged from 15 league video games as far as a menacing presence from corners, which has even seen him tackle captain duties for his promotion-chasing employers.
5
LB – Dennis Cirkin
The primary of a trio of recent signings comes within the type of Dennis Cirkin, who has been linked with a change to Elland Highway closely in current weeks.
With Junior Firpo’s contract up in the summertime of 2025, this may be sensible planning on the top of Leeds to purchase his alternative in January, with the “improbable” defender – as he was as soon as labelled by former Sunderland supervisor Lee Johnson – greater than able to changing the ex-Barcelona left-back.
The standout Black Cats quantity three is equally as artistic as Firpo, having accrued seven targets and 5 assists on Wearside from 92 video games, and would possibly effectively be accessible to choose up for a reported payment of £6m
6
CM – Ao Tanaka
Leeds will know they needn’t splash the money with a view to receive some distinctive skills this forthcoming window, as Ao Tanaka solely value Farke and Co £3.5m to amass in late August.
Helped by an damage disaster within the holding midfield positions, the Japanese gem has been quietly very good for the Whites since coming into the first-team fold, with a 92% go accuracy averaged per second-tier conflict amongst different glowing numbers.
7
CM – Lewis O’Brien
Leeds would possibly effectively be out there for one more new holding midfielder this January, with Lewis O’Brien beforehand on their switch radar.
O’Brien is being touted to make a £7m transfer to LAFC, however as the previous Huddersfield City man narrowly missed out on promotion with the Terriers again in 2020, he may fancy a return to the EFL with Leeds.
He was additionally a prime performer when on the books of Leeds’ close to neighbours, amassing eight targets and ten assists as a dependable head from 131 whole video games. He may, due to this fact, be a possible possibility forward of Joe Rothwell.
8
RM – Wilfried Gnonto
Leeds followers should go right into a state of panic every time a window opens, understanding full effectively that Wilfried Gnonto would possibly lastly up and depart.
The Italian winger may keep put this time once more, having mustered up two targets and 5 assists in league motion to date for the West Yorkshire titans.
9
CAM – Brenden Aaronson
The ex-FC Zurich star is prone to be partnered by Brenden Aaronson in assault previous January, with the American respiration life again into his taking part in days at Elland Highway this season.
He already has 4 targets and one help subsequent to his identify as the previous RB Salzburg man goals to supply much more throughout some high-stakes video games to come back close to the summit of the desk.
10
LM – Ryan Kent
The final incoming on the switch entrance may see Farke and Co add a free agent into their ranks with Ryan Kent linked to probably additional bolster their left wing choices.
Largie Ramazani is at present sidelined after an encouraging begin to life in England, while Tottenham Hotspur loanee Manor Solomon has largely underwhelmed on this spot, with no targets and only one help picked up from eight appearances.
Kent may provide the Whites one thing completely different down this channel, due to this fact, with the ex-Rangers man boasting 33 targets and 56 assists from his memorable keep at Ibrox.
11
ST – Mateo Joseph
This XI is completed off with Mateo Joseph’s inclusion because the lone striker, with Farke hopeful that his younger Spanish hotshot can spark into life much more when push involves shove in some intense future encounters.
He did rating the decisive strike in opposition to Sheffield United in the midst of October to assist his workforce beat Chris Wilder’s males 2-0, however that was solely his second league strike.
2025 may effectively be his 12 months although, because the homegrown Whites product strives to fireplace within the targets that results in his aspect tasting promotion glory.
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