Leeds United are about to embark on a third successive Premier League campaign, with Jesse Marsch at the helm and a new look to the first 11.
The sale of Kalvin Phillips to Manchester City made the Premier League 2022 news as the move was confirmed last week and he’ll leave a big hole to be filled in the midfield. Meanwhile, Brazilian winger Raphinha looks like he’s heading to Chelsea, though La Liga giants Barcelona are still playing a waiting game, and if the London move breaks down the Catalans will be ready to pounce.
After a last day survival win at Brentford last season the Premier League 2022 betting odds reckon it could be another difficult campaign; but if Marsch can gel his new team together it could another exciting ride for the Leeds faithful.
Goalkeeper: Illan Meslier
22 year old keeper Illan Meslier has made the Number One shirt his own with many a mature display over the past two campaigns. A France U21 player he will hope for a strong start to the 2022/23 campaign to attract the attention of Les Bleus coach Didier Deschamps.
Right back: Rasmus Kristensen
24 year old Denmark defender has joined Leeds in a £10m deal from Red Bull Salzburg where he was first coached by Marsch. He’s a pacey wingback who likes to attack and scored ten goals in his 72 appearances for Salzburg; and with eight Denmark caps won since his debut last September he also hopes to be on the plane to Qatar.
Centre back: Liam Cooper
He’s been the rock at the heart of Leeds defence since their promotion season and was badly missed at times when he was injured last season. But Liam Cooper, ‘Mr Leeds’ is ready and raring to go again in his eight campaign at Elland Road.
Centre back: Diego Llorente
Spain international Diego Llorente has taken time to settle in England following his £18m transfer from Real Sociedad. With four goals from 43 appearances he has been in competition with Robin Koch, who held the centre back position at the end of last season. But Llorente will hope to get the nod against Wolves.
Left back: Junior Firpo
The flying 25 year old left back came from Barcelona with a huge reputation and was another who found the pace of the Premier League hard to adjust to. But he has plenty of pace himself and he finished the 2021/22 campaign in fine form so Marsch will give him a chance to carry on where he left off.
Defensive midfield: Marc Roca
Former Espanyol defensive midfielder Roca made the move to FC Bayern in 2020 but found it hard to break into the serial Bundesliga winners’ first eleven, making just 15 appearances over the past two seasons. If he can recapture his Espanyol form then he will be a real asset in front of the defence to fill the gap left by Phillips.
Defensive midfield: Adam Forshaw
30 year old Forshaw is an experienced campaigner who will sit well alongside new man Roca, as he knows how the Leeds defence operates and has the confidence of his head coach. He had almost a year out with injury in 2020/21 but a thorough professional he fought his way back in the reckoning and is the sort of character Leeds need in the dressing room.
Attacking midfield: Brenden Aaronson
The most exciting signing of the Leeds summer so far is that of creative midfielder Aaronson who arrives from Red Bull Salzburg for a fee of around £25m. A quick footed ball player who likes to play out wide, Aaronson could be the perfect replacement for Raphinha and, at 21 years of age, he has plenty of time to develop.
Attacking midfield: Jack Harrison
The 25 year old Harrison has been a real fan’s favourite at Elland Road since he joined Leeds on loan from Manchester City as the Yorkshire side strived for promotion to the top flight. He made his move permanent last year and scored eight goals in 35 games as Leeds’ second most creative player after Raphinha.
Number 10: Joe Gelhardt
This could be a breakthrough season for 20 year old striker Joe Gelhardt. He scored his first two senior goals in his brief appearances last season, the first in a 3-2 defeat away to Chelsea and the second, a dramatic and crucial winner injury time winner against Norwich City. A clever forward he will sit nicely just behind a main striker.
Centre Forward: Patrick Bamford
He had a wretched campaign in 2021/22, ravaged by injury and COVID, but Patrick Bamford is ready to get back to action after missing most of the action last term. Everyone here at SBOTOP and the hoards of Elland Road fans are willing Bamford on to a repeat of his 2020/21 exploits.
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