With Leeds United firmly in the driving seat in the race for automatic promotion to the Premier League, it’s maybe time to start thinking about what a potential starting XI for next season would look like.
Well in goal, Kiko Casilla is an experienced figure, who has won a plethora of trophies and has also kept the most clean sheets in the Championship, making him the obvious choice.
In defence, Ben White has been superb this season and with Daily Mail suggesting Brighton and Hove Albion are eyeing Dion Sanderson, there’s still a chance he could move to the club permanently. Alongside him, the captain Liam Cooper should start having won the most aerial duels and made the most clearances per league game, as per WhoScored.
Stuart Dallas and Luke Ayling have been brilliant on the flanks, averaging the second and joint-third most tackles per game respectively for the Whites. However, they’ve also been prominent in attack with the Northern Ireland international having scored three goals and the London-born ace having struck four times.
In midfield, Kalvin Phillips is the obvious choice with Adrian Durham having labelled him ‘England-class’, a show of his outstanding ability. And with former Elland Road ace Michael Brown confirming the Yorkshire-born ace ‘loves’ the club, it seems he could be set to stay should promotion be achieved.
Josh Cullen has been linked with Leeds and having averaged 1.5 key passes per game in the second tier, the fourth-most when compared to Marcelo Bielsa’s squad, he would be a sensible signing. And with his contract at parent club West Ham United expiring in 2021, he would be a cheap option.
Can Leeds United keep hold of Kalvin Phillips?
Yes
No
Pablo Hernandez and Jack Harrison have had a stellar impact, contributing to 12 goals each for the Yorkshire team. However, Helder Costa has been underwhelming, having scored and assisted just five times and should be replaced by January signing Ian Poveda, who despite having never started, has been on the receiving end of praise from Pep Guardiola.
While Patrick Bamford has scored 13 times this season, his potency in front of goal has been rather shocking. Therefore, he should be replaced by Cyle Larin, who according to Takvim (via Sport Witness), is of interest to the side. The £3.6m-rated, as per Transfermarkt, Canadian has been in brilliant form for loan club Zulte Waregem, contributing to 20 goals in 33 games across all competitions.
Whilst it is only the Championship, there is a feeling among some that, due to the nature of the division, it could be one of the most competitive leagues in the world, making the stats a decent indicator to how good a player is.
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