When Leeds United kick off their 2022/23 Premier League programme against Wolverhampton Wanderers on 6th August the Whites will be without two former stars.
Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips have transferred to Barcelona and Manchester City and now it’s time to move on.
The club has been busy in the transfer market and on a testing pre-season tour. Leeds have warmed up in Australia with a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa, a victory over local side Brisbane Roar and a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace. It’s been a useful trip which has helped head coach Jesse Marsch work on his formation and get players match fit; and for his new recruits to find their feet.
Leeds’ early Premier League 2022 results need to yield a good number of points as they have some winnable games in August, and these three new recruits need to hit the ground running.
Rasmus Kristensen
Denmark right back Rasmus Kristensen has been outstanding in pre-season and he looks like he could be Marsch’s best bit of close season business so far. The club signed him from Red Bull Salzburg for a bargain £10m and the 25 year old looks set to claim a starting place when the Premier League action begins.
After he played a big role in Salzburg’s Austrian Bundesliga title win, Leeds beat Borussia Dortmund to his signature and it seems they have signed an all round star. Playing in an advanced role he scored ten goals and made eight assists for Red Bull last season, and in the Champions League he recorded the most successful tackles, per 90 minutes, in the competition.
He has six caps for Denmark, playing in a recent UEFA Nations League victory over France and Kristensen looks set to slot straight into the Leeds side after starring in all three games down under. He works hard out of possession, is fierce in the tackle and willing to support the forward players, and he looks to be a superb replacement for Luke Ayling who continues to recover from surgery.
Brenden Aaronson
Kristensen followed his former Salzburg team-mate Aaronson to Elland Road and, at 21 years of age, the US international looks set for a glittering career in the European leagues. A creative midfielder he can also play in a deeper role and will help to fill the gap left by Phillips, though he is not a like for like replacement. Aaronson is a very neat and tidy footballer, able to operate in tight spaces and with a superb technique.
The Stars and Stripes favourite should cope comfortably with the pace of the Premier League with his speed of thought and touch; he’ll add to Leeds creative muscle and he is not shy of the physical part of the game either, Aaronson is not the biggest of players but he has some steel about his play.
Luis Sinisterra
The sale of Raphinha has left a creative gap in Leeds’ attack which may be part filled by the versatile Aaronson, but Marsch has moved to strengthen further in that department. While the Brazilian was scoring in his first ever El Clasico in Las Vegas, Leeds’ latest signing, Luis Sinisterra was getting to know his new Elland Road team-mates.
Marsch has spent another chunk of the £55m Raphinha fee on the 23 year old Colombian winger, signing him from Dutch side Feyenoord on a five year deal. Sinisterra scored 23 goals and made 14 assists in 49 appearances for Feyenoord as they finished third in the Netherlands top flight and reached the Europa League Conference final, losing to Roma 1-0.
He’s the type of player who can get the fans on their feet with his electric turn of pace, trickery and eye for a goal, and if he starts as he finished in the Netherlands then the Leeds faithful might soon have a new idol on the flanks.
When the hostilities begin Leeds are favourites, at a SBOTOP price of 2.16 to win their opener against Wolves. Anything less than three points will be a slight disappointment against Bruno Lage’s side, who are entering a more difficult period after taking the top flight by surprise, winning European football on their return to the Premier League.
After Wolves, Leeds’ chances to get early points on the board keep coming as they visit Southampton, welcome Chelsea to Elland Road (always a tasty affair), and travel to Brighton before Everton are the visitors to Leeds.
The pre-season Premier League 2022 betting odds have priced Southampton and Everton at 4.20 and 4.50 to be relegated while Brighton and Wolves will likely finish in mid-table. Only Chelsea will be a top six side at the end of the campaign and the Blues’ pre-season preparation has not been ideal, so Marsch will target a minimum of a point a game from this first five matches.
Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.
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