Only 3 matches into the new football season, Leeds United are yet to register a first league win, there was a bit of respite with a victory over Shrewsbury Town in the League Cup in between. Daniel Farrow assesses Leeds United’s slow start to life in the Championship.
A couple of draws find them already 7 points off the early pace being set by Ipswich Town and Leicester City in this year’s Championship table.
Leeds desperately need to draft new faces into a squad ravaged by sales and injuries, most of last seasons Premier League disappointments have left on loan or permanently.
That still leaves behind players such as Wilfried Gnonto, Luis Sinistrella, Crysencio Summerville, Sonny Perkins, Helder Costa and Goalkeeper Ilan Meslier, who have all been rumoured to be moving on.
The plus side, Karl Darlow from Newcastle, Ethan Ampadu (Chelsea), Sam Byram (Norwich) and Joe Rodon (Tottenham) have come in.
Others rumoured to be joining the Elland Road ranks are Nathan Phillips coming in from Liverpool, Brandon Williams (Manchester United), Glenn Kamara (Rangers), Kenny McLean (Norwich), Facundo Buonanotte (Brighton) and Josh Sargent (Norwich).
Those signings could be huge and might possibly be the difference between another season in second tier football, or a return straight back to the top flight.
So, between now and the end of the transfer window on September 1st, the club’s owners from the San Francisco 49ers investment group and new manager Daniel Farke have a lot of work to do to get Leeds back into good shape and to start challenging for promotion.
By Daniel Farrow.