We all know what the likes of Lewis Cook, Alex Mowatt and Sam Byram offer Leeds – but they aren’t the only important players at Elland Road.
Rodolph Austin
Much criticised by Leeds United fans this season, Rodolph Austin has proven his worth as a crunching midfielder this past campaign. Okay, the 29-year-old won the Goal of the Year award for the Yorkshire side but he has proven himself far more consistently as a disciplined presence in the middle of the park.
Bolton are interested in prising the Jamaican away from Leeds, according to the Daily Mail, but Neil Redfearn needs a strong tackler like Austin should he remain at Elland Road.
Luke Murphy
Similarly to Austin, Luke Murphy offers authority in midfield and should be rewarded for turning his campaign around this season with a key role in the Leeds squad next term.
Midfield is where United can claim to possess real quality in comparison with the rest of the Championship, meaning any strengthening doesn’t necessarily have to be done in the middle of the park.
Murphy can provide the base for the Yorkshire side and his role shouldn’t be understated.
Gaetano Berardi
One of Leeds’ breakthrough stars this season has been Charlie Taylor – but that doesn’t mean Gaetano Berardi’s displays should be ignored.
The Swiss defender can play both down the right and left, replacing Taylor in the back four with the 21-year-old pushing up to left-wing in the last few weeks.
Even if Leeds buy a winger and bring the youngster back into the left-back slot, then, Berardi will provide important cover. His form in the closing stages of the Championship campaign has been a credit to him after such an indifferent season before that.
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