Leeds United have had a busy summer, but just how are they shaping up for this Championship season?
Leeds United fans can look back on last year as another season outside of the Championship play-offs and at the time it seemed that their Premier League exile may never end.
However, the arrival of high-profile manager Marcelo Bielsa has certainly shaken things up at Elland Road over the summer and a fresh sense of optimism surrounds the Yorkshire giants for the 2018/19 campaign.
The Whites got off to the perfect start in the league with a 3-1 win over Stoke City last weekend, but just what shape are they in for the new season after a busy transfer window that has seen plenty of in-comings and outgoings?
The Departures
There is of course still time for more exits this month, but there have been a number that have left already.
Midfielder Ronaldo Vieira is the most notable departure following his switch to Serie A club Sampdoria, while Andy Lonergan, Luke Murphy, Felix Wiedwald, Madger Gomes and Marcus Antonsson have also all left permanently.
They have also sent out Pawel Cibicki, Paudie O’Connor, Tyler Denton, Hadi Sacko and Jay-Roy Grot on loan.
Bielsa has certainly overseen quite a change in the Leeds squad and is beginning to build it in his image.
New Arrivals
Leeds have made a real statement with some of their signings this summer, with striker Patrick Bamford and defender Barry Douglas two brilliant additions to the squad on permanent deals that are proven in the Championship.
They have also tapped into the loan market to bring Chelsea pair Lewis Baker and Jamal Blackman, plus Manchester City’s Jack Harrison to the club.
Bielsa has added players that could make a real impact to the starting XI and the loan window remains open until the end of the month for them to strengthen further.
The Future
It would be easy for Leeds fans to get too carried away for the new season and Bielsa should perhaps be judged 10-15 games into the new season.
However, they do look a strong team on paper and the manager looks like he could find a nice blend between new signings and players that were already at Elland Road.
There are several teams that could be right in the mix at the top end of the table and Leeds may well be one of them, with Bielsa’s slick attacking style of football already capturing the minds of supporters.
Leeds travel to Derby County on Saturday evening for their second league match and defeating them as well as Stoke in their first two matches would send out a real statement to the rest of the division.
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