Leeds United have retained Marcelo Bielsa as their head coach and they hope to retain the vast majority of the first-team unit which took them to third in the Championship last season.
Four additions is the target for director of football Victor Orta, with the loss of most of those who spent 2018/19 away from Elland Road on loan.
If the Whites’ transfer policy is to add a small group of loanees to those already in the building, how might the starting line-up for the Championship curtain-raiser in August look?
We take a look over those names which are nailed on to be in the XI, injuries permitting, when the season starts across the first weekend of August.
Luke Ayling
With two more years on his deal there is little prospect of the club’s number two being sold this summer.
Featured 42 times in all competitions for Bielsa last term, despite struggling with an injury throughout November and early December.
Bielsa has spoken in glowing terms about Ayling’s role in the squad and his versatility across the backline. He will be the first choice right-back again.
Liam Cooper
The club captain, with two more years on his deal and several end-of-season gongs on his mantelpiece, Cooper’s stock is higher than it has ever been at Elland Road.
Another who has drawn warm plaudits from Bielsa in the past 12 months. While his central defensive partner could plausibly change, Cooper will be at the heart of the side again.
Kalvin Phillips
Another of those with a deal expiring in 2021 until the club extends it. That security will protect the club from anyone snaring Phillips on the cheap and on the list of saleable players at Elland Road, Bielsa would surely have his half-back at the bottom of the list.
Phillips’s transformation has been well documented and there are few, if any, who could slot into his position and do a better job for Bielsa in 2019/20. Another 46-match season incoming, injury permitting.
Pablo Hernandez
Aged 34 heading into another Elland Road campaign, but with a well-earned rest under his belt, Hernandez should be firing on all cylinders by the time August rolls around.
The wide playmaker was one of those who started the season so well under Bielsa last August and should be expected to do the same in eight weeks’ time.
While wide players are at the top of United’s shopping list, you would think, with 12 months under Bielsa already as well as another raft of player-of-the-year awards, Hernandez is safe.
Mateusz Klich
The cat is just about out of the bag when it comes to the Polish international. Twelve months ago his Whites career looked over before it had even began, but some inspired pre-season form convinced Bielsa Klich was worth a shot.
Ten goals in 46 league games is a commendable return from central midfield and as the only player to start every Championship match, you have to say he will be a mainstay for Bielsa again.
Zero need to fix something which is not broken.
