Leeds United have struggled to break out of the Championship’s mid-table but they have still had some impressive players in that time.
Leeds United Chairman Massimo Cellino
Since Massimo Cellino’s takeover was ratified by the Football League in April 2014, Leeds United have had a number of players within their ranks who have failed to impress.
But despite three bottom-half finishes in the Championship since his arrival, the Whites have also had several excellent players in the squad who have earned plenty of plaudits from the Elland Road faithful.
With that in mind, here is a look at arguably Leeds’ strongest XI since Cellino arrived just over two years ago.
Leeds United’s Robert Green
GK: Rob Green
When Cellino arrived at Leeds, Paddy Kenny was coming to the end of his time at Elland Road. The Irishman was then replaced by Marco Silvestri, who was the club’s virtually undisputed number one until Rob Green arrived this summer.
While the former England stopper has not been without his faults since he was signed, his shot-stopping often remains as sharp as ever and his distribution is stronger than the Italian’s, so he just edges the battle for the gloves.
Sam Byram
RB: Sam Byram
The latter stages of Sam Byram’s Leeds career may have seen the academy graduate impress most when deployed as a winger, but it was as a full-back that he broke into the team in 2012. His confidence on the ball was refreshing, and his ability to keep the best wingers in the Championship at bay was often surprising given his lack of experience. While Gaetano Berardi deserves to be considered, Byram was arguably the one that showed that he had Premier League quality on more occasions.
Pontus Jansson
CB: Pontus Jansson
One trait that has been common in several of Leeds’ centre-backs in recent years is inconsistency. On their day, the likes of Sol Bamba and Giuseppe Bellusci could be unbreakable, but those days were too few and far between as comical mistakes plagued their time with the club. In Pontus Jansson, Leeds appear to have found a cult-hero after just a handful of games. The loan signing has displayed the kind of fighting spirit that has left fans desperate to see his deal made permanent.
Kyle Bartley
CB: Kyle Bartley
With former defender Garry Monk now in charge, it is perhaps hardly surprising that Leeds’ defence is as strong as it ever has been since they fell out of the top flight 12 years ago. Alongside Jansson, Kyle Bartley has been the leader that has been a calming influence while the Swede alongside him gets fired up. With the Englishman also on loan, Leeds fans will be hoping that a permanent move could also be negotiated with his parent club.
Charlie Taylor
LB: Charlie Taylor
Taylor may not have been quite as impressive this term, but that is only because he has set such high standards during his first couple of years on the scene. Defensively sound, Taylor also has a huge amount of ability going forward, especially when it comes to putting a dangerous cross into the box.
Liam Bridcutt
DM: Liam Bridcutt
The current Whites skipper’s arrival on loan last season was a turning point in Steve Evans’ tenure. His presence gave the vulnerable defence a huge amount of support, and made the side a lot more difficult to break down. His return on a permanent deal was a huge statement of intent this summer as it is difficult to imagine that many teams in the second tier would not have jumped at the chance to sign him.
Lewis Cook
DM: Lewis Cook
While the 19-year-old is still awaiting the chance to make an impression at Bournemouth, most Leeds fans will surely tell you that he is the most exciting prospect to come out of the academy in recent years, and that is saying something. Technically superb, Cook has the makings of a brilliant playmaker with his ability to glide past opponents. With Bridcutt’s presence alongside him, Cook would have perhaps had the freedom to dictate games had he stayed this year.
Hadi Sacko
RW: Hadi Sacko
The 22-year-old is surely the best out-and-out winger that Leeds have had in the Cellino era. Though he is still only enjoying the early stages of his loan spell, the supporters already know that when Sacko gets on the ball, something exciting could be about to happen. He can easily stride past opposition full-backs and has the trickery to make some of the best defenders in the division look foolish.
Stuart Dallas
LW: Stuart Dallas
Five goals and six assists is an excellent return for your first year with a new club, and that is exactly what the Northern Irishman managed last term. His partnership with Taylor on the left-hand side looks a crucial one for the club’s hopes of doing well this campaign. His ability to play on either wing, or in a more central role also makes him invaluable to Monk.
Alex Mowatt
AM: Alex Mowatt
When Alex Mowatt is at his best, he simply looks like a Premier League player. During the 2014-15 season, his form was arguably the most encouraging thing during that campaign from a Leeds perspective. Unfortunately for the youngster, an inability to seemingly accommodate him in the current system has meant that he is struggling to earn the kind of opportunities his talent deserves.
Pablo Hernandez would certainly be a contender for the position behind the striker, but it remains to be seen whether he can find the consistency that would make him the talisman of the side.
Chris Wood
ST: Chris Wood
It is perhaps a controversial decision to overlook Ross McCormack in favour of Chris Wood, but the early signs suggest that the New Zealander has the ability to surpass what McCormack accomplished during his time with Leeds.
While the biggest criticism of Wood is his ability to miss great chances and go through long spells without a goal, it must be remembered that McCormack only reached double figures in two of his four seasons with Leeds. With Wood already on five goals this time around, he is well on course to reach double figures once again this term, and comfortably beat his tally from his first season.
Substitutes: Marco Silvestri, Tom Lees, Gaetano Berardi, Rudolph Austin, Eunan O’Kane, Pablo Hernandez, Ross McCormack
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