The dream XI 49ers could build at Leeds: £40m PL star signs & Meslier axed
As they get closer to being promoted back to the Premier League, Leeds United is presently leading the Championship table during the final international break of the 2024–25 season.
The Whites will seek to advance automatically rather than needing to rely on the post-season games after missing out on the play-offs last season after losing to Southampton 1-0 at Wembley in the final.
However, getting promoted to the Premier League is just the first stage; Daniel Farke will then need to assemble a team that can avoid immediate relegation, something he failed to do in his two attempts with Norwich City.
We’ve looked at the ideal Premier League starting lineup that the board may create for Farke during the summer transfer window because of this. The 49ers must provide the German head coach all the tools he needs.
1GK – Caoimhin Kelleher
Despite being Leeds’ number one in recent seasons, Illan Meslier hasn’t done enough to warrant the team’s reliance on him for the upcoming campaign.
In his league career at Elland Road, the Frenchman has given up an incredible 34.4 more goals than anticipated, according to post-shot xG, indicating that his goalkeeping has been appallingly subpar.
2RB – Jayden Bogle
Since joining Leeds from Sheffield United last summer, Jayden Bogle has started all 36 of his Championship games and may continue to be the team’s first-choice right-back option in the upcoming campaign.
3CB – Nico Elvedi
According to reports, Leeds attempted to sign Nico Elvedi, a former Borussia Monchengladbach star under Farke, during the January transfer window but were unsuccessful because the Swiss player is determined to play in the top division.
He might compete with Joe Rodon for a starting spot if the Whites are promoted to the Premier League, and they could persuade him to move to Elland Road in the summer.
| 24/25 season | Elvedi (Bundesliga) | Rodon (Championship) |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 19 | 38 |
| Tackles + interceptions per game | 2.9 | 1.5 |
| Clearances per game | 5.8 | 4.5 |
| Ground duel success rate | 76% | 66% |
| Aerial duel success rate | 57% | 57% |
| Fouls per game | 0.4 | 0.7 |
| Stats | ||
As you can see in the table above, Elvedi has outperformed Rodon as an out-and-out defender in a bigger league, suggesting that he could come in to provide a solid presence at the heart of the backline.
4CB – Pascal Struijk
5LB – Hugo Bueno
When Junior Firpo’s contract expires in the summer, it is “increasingly likely” that he will depart, according to a recent TEAMtalk report, creating a void at left-back.
According to a report earlier this month, Leeds is considering replacing Firpo with Feyenoord defender Hugo Bueno, who is currently on loan from Wolves.
Bueno, who has made 12 Eredivisie appearances for Feyenoord this season and created four “big chances” and recorded three assists, may be an offensive threat down the left flank for Leeds in the top division.
6CM – Ao Tanaka
7CM – Ethan Ampadu
8RW – Jonathan Rowe
Leeds reportedly attempted to pay £7 million for Norwich City forward Jonathan Rowe last summer, according to the Telegraph. However, Rowe ended up joining Marseille on loan with a commitment to make the move permanent this summer for £17 million.
But according to recent reports, he has dropped in the French hierarchy, and Marseille is trying to let him go as soon as possible this summer. This would allow Leeds to try to recruit him again.
9CAM – Wilfried Gnonto
Leeds has relied heavily on Brenden Aaronson at number 10 this season, but his performances against the best teams indicate that he would have a difficult time in the Premier League.
As the table above demonstrates, despite playing ten games against the top six teams, he has unable to have an impact. Wilfried Gnonto, on the other hand, has shown himself to be a capable player in the top flight.
In 14 starts during the 2022–2023 Premier League season, the Italian gem scored two goals and provided four assists. Last Saturday against QPR, he started as the number ten.
10LW – Manor Solomon
The winger, who has seven goals and seven assists in the league this season, is currently on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, and Leeds is apparently interested in a permanent deal.
11CF – Rasmus Hojlund
Lastly, it was revealed last month that Leeds is closely monitoring Rasmus Hojlund’s status at Manchester United in anticipation of a potential summer transfer for him.
According to reports, the Red Devils value the Danish striker, who U23 Antonio Mango stated has “electric” pace, at £40 million. He might be a big-money addition to drive the team to safety.
Despite only scoring three goals in the Premier League this season, Hojlund, 22, scored 10 goals in the league the previous season and has scored 24 goals for Manchester United across all competitions since the season began.
Joel Piroe is three years older than the Danish star, but he has never established himself in the Premier League or scored in one of Europe’s top five conferences.
Thus, Hojlund might be a great competitor for the Dutchman and a proven performer at that level to increase the manager’s firepower before the Premier League season begins.
