Almost as soon as Leeds United clinched promotion back to the Premier League after their 16-year exile, thoughts turned towards transfers.
Marcelo Bielsa and the recruitment staff at Elland Road have a lot of work ahead of them to prepare the Whites for top flight life. Reinforcements will be required.
Speculation is already swirling over who Leeds might target, with permanent deals for Helder Costa and young goalkeeper Illan Meslier completed.
Here is the best case scenario the club could hope for in this summer’s transfer window, and also the worst case scenario they should want to avoid.
Best case…
Ben White returns
He was one of Leeds’ best and most consistent performers over the course of their title-winning season, but White was only on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion. Now, the 22-year-old is attracting admiring glances from a number of suitors, with Premier League champions Liverpool among those reportedly interested.
Leeds still hope White will return to Elland Road for next season, though. They have made the signing of the player, whether on another loan or permanently, a priority for the summer. White would help give Bielsa the sort of defensive base he needs to build a winning team in the top flight. Adding another centre-back along with White would be the cherry on top of the cake.
A proven goalscorer of international calibre arrives
As impressive as Leeds were throughout the 2019/20 season, they lacked a true goalscorer. Patrick Bamford was the only player who cracked double figures for Bielsa’s side in the Championship, highlighting how Leeds will need a new centre forward if they are to survive and thrive at Premier League level.
This has led to intense speculation over who Leeds could target. Edinson Cavani and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are both free agents this summer and would give the Whites a real cutting edge in the final third. Brentford’s Ollie Watkins has also been mentioned as a potential target, but the best case scenario is that Leeds sign a proven goalscorer of international calibre to lead the line.
Pablo Hernandez’s long term successor is found
Named PFA Player of the Month for June/July, there is no doubting Hernandez’s quality. The Spaniard has been a key figure for Leeds over the last three years, but at 35 years old the Elland Road club must start thinking about finding a long-term replacement for the former Valencia midfielder.
Hernandez is an integral part of Bielsa’s side, with the Spaniard at his best in behind the central striker where he can do damage in the final third, scoring nine and assisting nine more last season. Argentine Thiago Almada has been linked with a move to Elland Road. He’s the sort of player who would fit the bill as Hernandez’s successor.
Worst case…
Ben White doesn’t return
Competition for the signature of White is stiff this summer, with a number of top level Premier League clubs reported to be interested in the 22-year-old after his impressive performances for Leeds last season. It’s also worth noting White is already on the books of Brighton, an established Premier League club that could use a talented, young central defender.
Leeds’ failure to secure White’s return would leave them in the difficult position of trying to find a player of similar attributes before the start of the new Premier League season in just a few weeks time. White’s ability on the ball and composure is what makes him so essential to Bielsa’s side. Centre backs like him aren’t easy to come by.
Leeds enter the season without a big name striker
At Championship level, Bamford is a more than adequate option to lead the line. However, the 26-year-old has only ever scored once in the Premier League. Bamford has struggled to make his mark in the top flight in previous seasons with Burnley, Crystal Palace, Middlesbrough and Norwich City. Leeds cannot depend on him alone to keep them up.
Finding a reliable goalscorer won’t be easy, though. Only a few weeks separate the end of last season with the beginning of the 2020/21 campaign and speculation over who Leeds could target has yet to solidify into anything real. Bielsa might have no option to stick with what he has and use Bamford as his attacking apex.
Kalvin Phillips is poached
Last summer, Phillips came close to making the move to Aston Villa. The 24-year-old stayed, though, and underlined his quality with another exceptional season for Leeds. Once again, there is believed to be interest in the midfielder meaning the Whites could face a fight to keep one of their prize assets. It is all the more likely Phillips will remain given Leeds’ promotion, but it may be difficult to turn down if the so-called ‘top six’ come calling.
Phillips isn’t just a player of great quality, he’s crucial to the way Bielsa’s team plays through the centre of the pitch. His departure would leave a massive hole in the squad. This close to the start of the new Premier League season, it could be disastrous for Leeds if Phillips is poached. They need him.
