MY ACCOUNT
It is all change at Leeds, where the Jesse Marsch revolution will have to do without Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips.
The former RB Leipzig coach just about kept the Whites in the Premier League last season but has lost his two most important players to Barcelona and Manchester City, respectively.
Much will depend on the seven new signings made over the summer, as well as keeping Patrick Bamford fit after a season ruined by injury.
Last season: 17th
After finishing ninth in 2020-21, Leeds hoped to march on with mastermind Marcelo Bielsa in charge.
It took seven games for the Whites to pick up their first win and, after 18 matches, they had only won three.
Bielsa was sacked in February with Marsch replacing him. Having lost his first two, the American coach then saw his new side go five unbeaten.
However, five without a win left Leeds in relegation danger heading into the final weekend.
A 94th-minute Jack Harrison screamer ensured Burnley were unable to catch Leeds, who beat Brentford 2-1 to finish above the dotted line.
New faces
After Bielsa’s famous reluctance to buy players, it has been out with the old and in with the new at Elland Road.
First through the door were RB Salzburg pair Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen — both of whom worked under Marsch in Austria.
Spaniard Marc Roca was then picked up from Bayern Munich for an undisclosed fee.
Holding midfielder Tyler Adams also worked under Marsch — this time at Leipzig — while youngster Darko Gyabi, 18, was part of the deal that saw Phillips join champions City.
Feyenoord’s exciting Colombian winger Luis Sinisterra was next before young West Ham forward Sonny Perkins, 18, joined following the expiration of his contract.
Potential line-up
4-2-3-1: Meslier; Kristensen, Koch, Llorente, Davis; Adams, Roca; James, Aaronson, Harrison; Bamford.
Predicting Leeds’ likely XI is made harder by the fact Luke Ayling (knee), Stuart Dallas (thigh), Liam Cooper (Achilles) and Junior Firpo (knee) all have mid to long-term injuries.
However, Illan Meslier will continue in goal with new signing Kristensen set to take over at right-back.
Robin Koch and Diego Llorente will be partnered at centre-back with youngster Leif Davis the stand-in at left-back. New midfield pair Roca and Adams were signed to sit in front of the defence.
In attack, Daniel James, Aaronson and Harrison will likely support Bamford.
Star man: Jack Harrison
Versatile winger Harrison scored the goal that made sure of Leeds’ Premier League status and he will be key once more in 2022-23.
Like his coach, Harrison has played in Major League Soccer and joined Manchester City from sister club New York City in 2018.
An ill-fated loan at Middlesbrough was followed by three rather more productive temporary stints with Leeds — culminating in promotion in 2020.
Finally signed on a permanent basis ahead of the 2021-22 campaign at a cost of £11million, Harrison weighed in with 10 goals in all competitions — none as important as his final-day strike at Brentford.
Up-and-comer: Darko Gyabi
Teenage midfielder Gyabi joined Leeds from Manchester City for £5m this summer as Phillips moved in the opposite direction for a reported £45m.
Yet the Whites will feel vindicated, having snared a player they had been tracking for 18 months prior to his eventual arrival.
Comfortable on the ball and able to play in a variety of midfield roles, Gyabi scored once and provided three assists as City’s Under-23s won Premier League 2, beating out West Ham.
Yet to make his professional debut, Leeds see potential in Gyabi’s physique, technique with both feet and pressing ability.
The boss: Jesse Marsch
After three-and-a-half intense years under Bielsa, Leeds quickly turned to Marsch to save them from relegation in February.
The 48-year-old had started the season in his first major European job after succeeding Julian Nagelsmann at RB Leipzig but was dismissed before Christmas.
He came through the Red Bull network with New York City — recording more wins than any other coach in the franchise’s history — and Salzburg, initially as assistant coach.
Marsch and Salzburg won the Austrian league and cup double in 2020 and 2021 before the American landed the Leipzig gig.
If he can bring anything like a similar level of success to Elland Road, Marsch will go down in Leeds folklore.
All information correct as of 11am, July 27, 2022
