Daniel Farke now has plenty of options in his Leeds United team as the season progresses.
Despite just signing one new player in January, Leeds’ team appears to be suddenly filled with alternatives in 2024, thanks to the development of various fringe talents.
Farke appeared to have found a steady starting XI between October and December, but a disappointing run of results over the festive season has seen the likes of Patrick Bamford, Junior Firpo, and Ilia Gruev incorporated into the team.
Those players have nearly made themselves undroppable as a result of their recent performances, but if everyone is well and available, some major names will be left out of the team.
So, with that in mind, here’s our best go at selecting a new strongest XI and bench.
Only a few players, including goalkeeper Illan Meslier, appear to be certain in their starting positions.
Defence
However, the same cannot be true for defence, where there are 50/50 choices to make in almost every position across the back four.
Archie Gray has been fantastic at right-back this season, but Connor Roberts was not signed to sit on the bench and already has promotion experience.
When fit, there isn’t much to distinguish Sam Byram from Junior Firpo on the other side, but the latter gets the nod here simply because of what he can bring in the future. Byram may be more effective in matchups where Leeds must defend more.
This season, Farke’s preferred centre-back partnership has been Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk, but Ethan Ampadu has performed brilliantly in the latter’s absence due to injury. However, it would be a mistake to keep Struijk out of the team when he is healthy.
Midfield
Struijk’s return to the squad had an impact on midfield. Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara have created an excellent combo in 2024, but Ampadu is simply unstoppable.
Similar to left-back, some matches may suit Gruev and Kamara’s strengths differently, but the former is currently in stronger form. Gray is another fantastic option in the heart of the park.
Attack
Joel Piroe started 21 league games in a row after joining from Swansea City, but he has had to settle for a bench spot in the last five, and that is likely to continue.
Patrick Bamford is currently Leeds’ strongest choice to lead the line, although Mateo Joseph is a strong contender following his performance at Plymouth Argyle. Georginio Rutter, of course, follows following him.
Best Team: Meslier; Roberts, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Ampadu, Gruev, James, Rutter, Summerville, Bamford.
Bench: Darlow, Gray, Cooper, Byram, Kamara, Gnonto, Anthony, Piroe, and Joseph.
