Leeds United should be busy this summer – regardless of their promotion fate.
Leeds United’s promotion push took a hit over Easter with defeats to Wigan Athletic and Brentford, and they may now have to start preparing for a playoff campaign instead of celebrating automatic promotion.
The Whites still have a chance to overhaul Sheffield United, but the Blades are now favourites to clinch second spot.
Leeds will already be planning for the summer, despite not knowing what division they’ll be in next season – and here is a five-point plan for the Whites…
1. Back Bielsa – regardless of the division
Marcelo Bielsa still has a chance of guiding Leeds into the top flight, and even if he doesn’t manager it, Leeds have enjoyed a great season under the Argentinian. Another year under his tutelage may well see Leeds return to the top flight, or see Leeds stay up if they make it to the Premier League. With more backing over the summer, Bielsa can really take Leeds forward and set them up for the long term.
2. Return for Daniel James
Leeds fans will certainly remember this saga; the pursuit of Daniel James. Bielsa and co had identified him as a key January target, but as reported by the Yorkshire Evening Post, Swansea City failed to sign off on a deadline day loan move. James has starred for Swansea this season with five goals and six assists, and the 21-year-old is now attracting major interest. After their January deal fell through, Leeds must return in January with another attempt.
3. Make sure Kalvin Phillips and Jack Clarke stay
Leeds will not only look to bring players in, but also keep players at Elland Road. Two players linked with Premier League clubs are homegrown talents Kalvin Phillips and Jack Clarke, having shown their quality and potential under Bielsa. If Leeds miss out on promotion, they must keep them at Elland Road for another promotion push, and given that teams may also come calling if Leeds do go up, keeping them around will be needed to prove that Leeds really are back.
4. Offload the outcasts permanently
Leeds have a host of players on the fringes of the side or even out on loan, and getting shut of them is key. The likes of Eunan O’Kane, Hadi Sacko, Pawel Cibicki, Laurens De Bock, Vurnon Anita, Ouasim Bouy, Jay-Roy Grot and Caleb Ekuban are still on the Leeds books, and seemingly have no future at Elland Road. Offloading them would free up wages and room in Bielsa’s squad, and that has to be a priority.
5. Make a decision on Jack Harrison
Whilst Izzy Brown won’t be staying at Leeds permanently, Jack Harrison’s situation is a little less clear. The winger has featured regularly under Bielsa, notching four goals and two assists in 35 Championship outings. He’s unlikely to play a part for parent club Manchester City, and Leeds may well have a shot at a permanent deal. He has potential but also inconsistency, and Leeds must weigh up whether he’s worth a deal.
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