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Leeds United are currently sat at the top of the Championship table during the last international break of the 2024/25 campaign, as they inch closer to promotion back to the Premier League.

The Whites missed out via the play-offs last season, losing to Southampton 1-0 at Wembley in the final, and will hope to go up automatically instead of having to rely on the post-season matches.

Earning promotion to the Premier League is only the first step, though, as Daniel Farke will then have to build a squad that is capable of avoiding instant relegation – something that he did not manage in two attempts with Norwich City.

This is why it is important that the 49ers provide the German head coach with all the ammunition he needs, and we have had a look at the dream Premier League starting XI that the board could build for Farke in the summer transfer window…

1 GK – Caoimhin Kelleher

Illan Meslier has been the number one for Leeds in recent seasons but he has not done enough to suggest that the club should rely on him as their number one next season.

The Frenchman has conceded a staggering 34.4 more goals than expected, based on post-shot xG, in his league career at Elland Road, which suggests that he has woefully underperformed as a shot-stopper.

Caoimhin Kelleher, who has been linked with a move to Leeds next season, has conceded 3.0 fewer than expected during his Premier League career as Liverpool’s number two, suggesting that he could come in as a far superior shot-stopper to bolster the team’s hopes of survival.

2 RB – Jayden Bogle

Jayden Bogle, who joined from Sheffield United last summer, has started all 36 of his appearances for Leeds in the Championship this season and could remain the first-choice right-back option next term.

3 CB – Nico Elvedi

Leeds were reportedly interested in a deal to sign Farke’s former Borussia Monchengladbach star Nico Elvedi in the January transfer window, but failed to get a move over the line as the Swiss star wants to play top-flight football.

The Whites could convince him to make the switch to Elland Road in the summer if they secure promotion to the Premier League, and he could compete with Joe Rodon for a starting berth.

Appearances

19

38

Tackles + interceptions per game

2.9

1.5

Clearances per game

5.8

4.5

Ground duel success rate

76%

66%

Aerial duel success rate

57%

57%

Fouls per game

0.4

0.7

As you can see in the table above, Elvedi has outperformed Rodon as an out-and-out defender in a bigger league, suggesting that he could come in to provide a solid presence at the heart of the backline.

4 CB – Pascal Struijk

Dutch defender Pascal Struijk could retain his place as a regular starter on the left side of the defence, both because of his leadership qualities – having captained the team on many occasions – and the fact that he is naturally left-footed and can comfortably play out from the back on that side.

5 LB – Hugo Bueno

TEAMtalk recently reported that Junior Firpo is ‘increasingly likely’ to leave when his contract expires in the summer, which will leave a hole to fill at left-back.

It was reported earlier this month that Leeds have their eye on Feyenoord defender Hugo Bueno, who is on loan from Wolves, as a possible replacement for Firpo.

Bueno has created four ‘big chances’ and registered three assists in 12 Eredivisie starts for Feyenoord this term, and could provide an attacking threat down the left flank for Leeds in the top-flight.

6 CM – Ao Tanaka

Ao Tanaka has been a revelation for Leeds in the middle of the park in the Championship, averaging 3.6 tackles and interceptions per game and a pass accuracy of 90%, and could be given a chance to showcase his quality in the Premier League.

7 CM – Ethan Ampadu

Ethan Ampadu, who started all 49 matches including the play-offs in the league last term, is the club captain and Farke could want his skipper in the engine room alongside Tanaka in the 2025/26 campaign – whether that is in the top-flight or the Championship.

8 RW – Jonathan Rowe

The Telegraph reported last summer that Leeds wanted to make a £7m bid for Norwich City forward Jonathan Rowe, but he ultimately joined Marseille on loan with an obligation to make it permanent for £17m this summer.

It was recently reported, however, that he has fallen down the pecking order in France and that Marseille are looking to instantly offload him in the summer, which would open the door for Leeds to return with another attempt to sign him.

Rowe scored 12 goals from just 5.36 xG in the Championship last term, whilst Dan James has scored ten goals from 9.22 xG this season, and he could be a ruthless finisher for the Whites in the top-flight if Farke can get the best out of him.

9 CAM – Wilfried Gnonto

Brenden Aaronson has been the go-to option in the number ten position for Leeds this season but his performances against the top sides suggest that he would struggle badly in the Premier League.

West Brom (A)

0

0

Burnley (H)

0

0

Sunderland (A)

0

0

Sheffield United (H)

0

0

Coventry (H)

0

0

Coventry (A)

0

0

Burnley (A)

0

0

Sunderland (H)

0

0

Sheffield United (A)

0

0

West Brom (H)

0

0

As you can see in the table above, he has failed to make an impact against any of the top six sides in his ten appearances against them, whilst Wilfried Gnonto has previously shown quality in the top-flight.

The Italian gem, who came on as the number ten against QPR last weekend, produced two goals and four assists in 14 starts in the 2022/23 Premier League campaign.

10 LW – Manor Solomon

Manor Solomon is currently on loan from Tottenham Hotspur and Leeds are reportedly interested in a deal to sign the winger, who has scored seven goals and provided seven assists in the league this term, permanently.

Over the years, Leeds United have been known to produce countless youngsters who have come through the ranks before making an impact on the first team and banking the club a hefty profit.

Lewis Cook came through the club’s youth system in Yorkshire, before making 85 appearances for his boyhood club over a two-year spell between 2014 and 2016.

However, the now 28-year-old would depart Elland Road for just £6m, moving to Bournemouth and eventually achieving promotion with the Cherries and evolving into a top-class Premier League operator.

There’s no denying that the Whites offloaded the midfielder far too cheaply considering his rise, but ultimately the club were struggling with their finances at the time and had no choice but to cash in.

Fast-forward to 2025, Leeds are in an excellent financial position, with outgoings massively boosting the money available behind the scenes, with one player in particular raking the money in for the 49ers.

Archie Gray’s stats for Leeds in 2024/25

No supporter could’ve envisaged the impact Archie Gray would’ve had on the Leeds first-team last season, especially at the tender age of 17 when the season started.

However, the teenager would make 52 appearances across all competitions during his debut year for his boyhood club, helping the Whites reach the play-off final.

Gray would be unable to provide the difference as Daniel Farke’s men lost 1-0 to Southampton at Wembley, leaving in a £40m deal to join Premier League outfit Tottenham Hotspur, allowing him to take his young career to the next level.

He’s since managed to make 38 appearances in his first season in North London, being a key member of Ange Postecoglou’s side during their injury crisis – even featuring at centre-back during the Christmas period.

However, it all could’ve been so different, with Farke offloading a player last summer who was once ahead of Gray in the ranks within the first-team setup.

The Leeds player who was ahead of Gray but left for £0

Over the years, Leeds have had a plethora of midfield talents, none more so than Kalvin Phillips, who came through the academy before departing in a £45m deal to join Manchester City.

In the summer of 2021, the Whites forked out £1.5m for the signature of Lewis Bate from Chelsea, looking to add quality to the academy side for the future.

He would make four Premier League appearances in his first year in Yorkshire, being ahead of Gray in the pecking order given his tender age, but Bate would only be able to add one other first-team appearance to his tally.

Bate also partnered Gray in the heart of the side for the U23s in 2021/22, making more appearances than the now Spurs star, showcasing that he was ahead of the £40m man in his progression.

The 22-year-old, who’s previously been dubbed “superb” by journalist Sam Byrne, spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Oxford United, before joining MK Dons for the second half of the 2023/24 campaign.

However, after just 22 appearances in League Two on loan at Milton Keynes, the midfielder would be released from his contract at Elland Road, ending his three-year spell in Yorkshire.

Games played

32

Goals & assists

8

Pass accuracy

86%

Chances created

1.2

Dribble success

64%

Tackles won

65%

Recoveries made

7.4

He’s since moved to Stockport County in League One, making 32 appearances to date, scoring twice and registering six assists, playing a crucial role in their hunt for promotion.

It’s a shame that his career hasn’t worked out the way many would’ve anticipated after his move from Chelsea, with Gray massively outperforming him as seen by his development in recent times.

There’s no denying that it’s great to see Bate in a settled environment after various loan spells away from the club, finally having the opportunity to kick on and make a success out of his career.

He's worth £20m: Leeds have already sold "unbelievable" Firpo replacement

Leeds United have made a mistake in selling a player who could have replaced Junior Firpo.

ByEthan Lamb Mar 21, 2025

Manchester United have now made a proposal of Rasmus Hojlund plus cash to sign “the best striker in the world”, and his club would be open to a deal of that nature, according to a journalist.

Hojlund struggling in the Premier League

Hojlund has regularly found himself on the scoresheet in the Europa League, netting five times in the league phase, but the majority of the Dane’s goals came against relatively weak opposition in Bodo/Glimt and Viktoria Plzen.

The 22-year-old has struggled against tougher teams in the Premier League, netting just two goals in 23 appearances this term and failing to find the back of the net since scoring in the 3-2 defeat against Nottingham Forest back in December.

Summer signing Joshua Zirkzee has also been an unreliable source of goals, scoring six in 42 games in all competitions, so it is little wonder Man United are looking to bring in a new striker when summer comes around.

Man Utd could now move for "outstanding" £84m striker instead of Osimhen

The Red Devils have identified a potential alternative to the Nigerian.

ByDominic Lund Mar 11, 2025

Napoli’s Victor Osimhen has emerged as a target for the Red Devils, and journalist Luca Cerchione has now dropped an interesting update on their pursuit of the Nigerian, suggesting a proposal has already been made.

Cerchione said: “Keep an eye on the Rasmus Højlund trail, which was reported to me last week.

“United have proposed Højlund to Napoli as part of the deal that could bring Victor Osimhen to Manchester United. In order for Osimhen’s price tag to drop, they will also talk about Højlund, who Conte likes a lot. We’ll see, we’ll follow this lead. €40m, plus Højlund, would be a deal in favour of Napoli.”

Osimhen is known to have a £62m release clause in his Napoli contract, but United are seemingly keen on a deal of a different nature, which would allow them to get an underperforming striker off the books.

Osimhen could be "the best striker in the world"

It would be a shame to see Hojlund leave United so soon, considering he is still young at 22 and may go on to become a top striker, but Ruben Amorim’s side cannot pass up the opportunity to sign the Nigeria international, should Napoli be keen on a swap deal.

The 26-year-old was lauded as “the best striker in the world” by members of the media during his time with Napoli, and he has since gone on to impress on loan at Galatasaray this season, netting 23 goals in 29 games in all competitions.

There are also signs of interest on the player’s end, with previous reports suggesting the Galatasaray star is open to talks over a move to Old Trafford this summer, indicating a move could be a real possibility.

It is imperative Man United sign a striker this summer, given their current options’ struggles in front of goal this season, so it is exciting news they have now made a proposal for one of the world’s best.

Since the arrival of David Moyes, Everton have been on a heavy upward trajectory, winning four of their last nine games, drawing three and only losing two.

This run includes a huge 3-2 victory over Tottenham and a blockbuster 2-2 draw with Liverpool at Goodison Park.

Moyes’ side now find themselves 16th in the Premier League after 27 games played and have managed to extend their gap from the relegation zone to 15 points, now sitting closer to the European places than the dreaded drop.

Everton are still only averaging 40% possession (2nd lowest in the Premier League) and are only taking 11 shots per game (4th fewest in the league), so whilst Moyes has done a good job bringing more goals to the side, their overarching attacking numbers haven’t massively improved.

Everton's attacking unit under David Moyes

So far this season, Everton have only scored 27 goals (the 4th fewest in the division) from 33.38 xG generated, underachieving their xG by -6.38.

Since Moyes took charge, the Toffees have scored 15 goals in their last nine games, clearly beginning to find some rhythm in the attacking third.

A large part of this turnaround is the emergence of Beto under Moyes, who has scored five Premier League goals in his last five Premier League games, becoming a vital part of the Toffees attack.

Whilst summer signing, Iliman Ndiaye has been a huge success, making 28 appearances and scoring eight goals.

Without the 24-year-old, Everton lack that creative spark and inevitability in attack, which a star they sold over five years ago definitely had.

Where Are They Now

Your star player or biggest flop has left the club but what are they doing in the present day? This article is part of Football FanCast’s Where Are They Now series.

Everton must rue £22.5m sale

Back in 2019, Everton made the sale of a certain Ademola Lookman to RB Leipzig, selling the England U21 forward for a fee of around £22.5m.

Whilst at the time, this could have been seen as a good fee for the youngster, who had only scored four times in 48 appearances, Lookman is now tearing it up in Serie A, scoring 34 goals over the last season and a half, leading to a Ballon d’Or nomination and a new transfer valuation of around £45m according to Transfermarkt.

When you compare the metrics of Lookman’s 2018/19 season at Everton and his 2024/25 campaign so far with Atalanta, you can see how and why his value has doubled.

Indeed, his output has gone through the roof, notably now demonstrating far more clinical finishing in front of goal and he has even nearly doubled his shot-volume.

Goals

0.11

0.73

Assists

0.21

0.26

xG

0.20

0.59

xAG

0.20

0.37

Progressive Carries

4.93

5.39

Progressive Passes

3.48

2.97

Shots Total

2.02

3.84

Goals/Shot

0.05

0.18

Key Passes

1.45

2.56

Shot-Creating Actions

3.91

6.03

The only metric being analysed here that hasn’t improved is his progressive passes per 90, but much of that is due to his role in the Atlanta side, being more of an outlet to penetrate with his carrying and combining closer to the box to provide his side with output.

Lookman has been labelled “incredible” during his time in Serie A by Statman Dave on X (formerly Twitter), and Everton may rue their decision to sell him so early, with his value now having doubled, as he enters his prime years.

Moyes could unleash Bramley-Moore's very own Cahill in £30m Everton star

Everton could find their new Tim Cahill in a current star.

1 ByRoss Kilvington Mar 2, 2025

Ange Postecoglou has been in the Tottenham Hotspur hot seat for about a year and a half.

Since taking the job, he’s made the team one of the most entertaining to watch in the Premier League, but while he enjoyed an incredible run at the start of last season, it’s not been so easy since.

For example, he has overseen more losses than wins in the league this year, although now that some of his stars are returning to the team, the results are also starting to improve.

Moreover, while not every signing has been a hit, many have been, including one player who’s been in fine form this term and has won comparisons to a star worth an enormous sum of money.

Postecoglou's most impactful Spurs signings

While not every addition made by Postecoglou has been a hit at Spurs, he has made more than his fair share of brilliant signings since the summer of 2023, and one of the very best has undoubtedly been Micky van de Ven.

The Dutch international joined the North Londoners from VfL Wolfsburg for around £43m in August 2023, and while he has had several injury problems since, he’s been a revelation when fit.

In all, he’s made 41 appearances for the club, in which he’s scored three goals, provided two assists, set the Premier League sprint record – 37.38km/h – and completed a clean sweep of the Lilywhites’ Player of the Season awards last term.

Appearances

41

Minutes

3462′

Goals

3

Assosts

4

Goal Involvements per Match

0.17

Minutes per Goal Involvement

489.42′

Another star addition from the same summer has been James Maddison, as while he’s certainly someone who can blow hot and cold at times, he’s managed to rack up a rather impressive haul of 14 goals and 16 assists in 63 games since his £40m move from Leicester City, and thanks to his recent uptick in form, there are now talks about his potential return to the national team squad.

Lastly, while there are other names, one of the stand-out recruits from the summer just gone has been Dominic Solanke, who, in just 29 appearances this season, has scored 11 goals and provided six assists, which comes out to an average of a goal involvement every 1.7 games.

With all that said, there’s another signing made under the Australian’s tenure who is having the season of his life and has since won comparisons to an incredibly valuable player.

The Spurs gem who's a £70m star in the making

While Solanke was doing brilliantly prior to his injury and climbing up the club’s top scorer list for this season, he was still behind one of Postecoglou’s other signings: Brennan Johnson.

In fact, the Welshman, who joined the club for around £47.5m from Nottingham Forest in September 2023, has only further extended his lead atop the club’s goalscoring chart recently.

His brace against Ipswich Town on the weekend takes him to 14 goals in 34 appearances, totalling 2211 minutes, across all competitions this season.

When you add his three assists to that tally, it comes out to a brilliant average of a goal involvement every other game or every 130.05 minutes.

Unsurprisingly, such a great return so far has seen the former Forest ace win comparisons to some of the most exciting players around, including Liverpool’s Luis Diaz.

Non-Penalty G+As

0.63

0.59

Shots

2.73

2.63

Passes into the Penalty Area

1.36

1.45

Crosses into the Penalty Area

0.23

0.16

Passes Blocked

0.80

0.75

Aerial Duels Won

0.40

0.48

The comparison primarily stems from FBref, which compares players in similar positions in the Premier League, then creates a list of the ten most comparable players for each one, and in this instance, has concluded that the Colombian is the second most similar attacking midfielder or winger to the Spurs star.

The best way to see where this comparison has come from is to look at the underlying metrics in which the pair rank closely, including, but not limited to, non-penalty goals plus assists, shots, passes and crosses into the penalty area, passes blocked, aerial duels won and more, all per 90.

While being likened to a winger who’s part of a team that looks set to win the Premier League is already great in and of itself, this comparison also bodes well for the 23-year-old’s future price tag.

For example, Football Transfers value the Liverpool star at up to €86.4m, which comes to about £72m, and if Johnson is so statistically similar to the Colombian, who is to say that he too won’t be worth that much should he keep up his current scoring form?

Ultimately, not everything has worked out for Postecoglou since he joined the club, but one thing the Australian has done is bring in more talented players, with the former Nottingham Forest gem chief among them.

Spurs must look at selling £40m Conte signing who's now on borrowed time

Djed Spence has enjoyed a fine revival at Spurs but it could mean the end of the road for one teammate.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Feb 25, 2025