The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 5th November)

Good Morning. It's Wednesday 5th November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road

No space for Aaronsson for Gnonto in NYT strongest LUFC XI

When asked to name his strongest Leeds United starting XI, assuming every player was fully fit and in form, New York Times chief correspondent Beren Cross focused his attention on the positions that invite the most debate. In goal, Lucas Perri remains something of an unknown quantity, with too few appearances to draw firm conclusions. Nevertheless, if manager Daniel Farke has installed him as first choice, Cross is inclined to trust that judgement for now. Central defence brings similar uncertainty. While Joe Rodon’s presence is unquestioned, the identity of his partner raises discussion. Jaka Bijol has yet to be fully tested in Leeds colours, but given his Serie A pedigree and the significant investment made over the summer, Cross suspects he would start ahead of Pascal Struijk.

Midfield presents perhaps the most compelling storyline. Sean Longstaff, initially the fourth-choice option behind Anton Stach and Ao Tanaka, has seized his opportunity with performances full of energy and intelligence. His set-piece delivery has been a pleasant surprise, but he also excels in defensive and transitional work. Stach enjoyed a blistering pre-season, dominating in a friendly against Milan and impressing in early league fixtures, yet his form has faded, but that could be because of injury. Tanaka, meanwhile, has been sidelined for much of the campaign, though he returned with a sparkling display in the opening win over Everton. Cross notes that team selection here could hinge on match context: Stach offers physical resilience, particularly useful away from home, while Tanaka’s creativity suits games where Leeds expect to dominate the ball. If pressed, the German might edge the final place.

In attack, injuries have prevented a clear hierarchy among Daniel James, Noah Okafor, and Wilfried Gnonto. Okafor has shown a knack for beating defenders and finishing, while Gnonto possesses similar qualities based on his earlier Premier League bursts. The challenge lies in positional balance — if Okafor starts on the left, can Gnonto adapt to the right? James, a key figure last season, has struggled to recapture form since an injury in April. Leeds will hope he can rediscover his sharpness.

Ultimately, Cross’s strongest Leeds XI in a 4-3-3 formation would be: Perri; Bogle, Rodon, Bijol, Gudmundsson; Longstaff, Ampadu, Stach; James, Calvert-Lewin, Okafor; a blend of steel, creativity, and pace, chosen with careful consideration of form, fitness, and tactical needs.

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January signings unlikely

Leeds United’s approach to the upcoming January transfer window appears to be one of caution and calculated decision-making, a stance reaffirmed by managing director Robbie Evans in discussions following the summer transfer window. Evans highlighted the club’s preference to avoid mid-season spending sprees, stressing their long-standing strategy of completing key business before the season starts.

“Whether it’s in the summer window, the free-agent market or January, it’s all about what the team actually needs,” he explained, noting the importance of weighing opportunity costs—both in terms of future purchases that might be blocked and sales that could be forced from the current roster. For Leeds, January is traditionally a time to assess rather than overhaul, but Evans made it abundantly clear that Leeds have already spent every available penny from its profit-and-sustainability-rule (PSR) projection during the summer.

With only six months left on his contract, Welsh international Harry Wilson represents a tempting option, particularly given Leeds’ desperate need for both creativity and a set-piece taker. Beren Cross of The New York Times recently addressed the likelihood of winter reinforcements, suggesting that while Leeds will undoubtedly be monitoring opportunities, they will need strong justification before making a move.

The question is not just about Wilson’s availability, but whether his signing would directly address a gap in the squad in a manner that justifies breaking the club’s usual January restraints. Last winter and the one before passed without major Leeds signings, reflecting both caution and confidence in the squad. Yet football is unpredictable; injuries, dips in form, or tactical adjustments means the door to January business can never be entirely closed.

Last time around, when Leeds were relegated, it was abundantly clear that they had not prepared for relegation and paid the price! This time around, the club are in a much more stable position to bounce back up again should the unthinkable happen. This could be the reason why a January spurge in the transfer market is unlikely!

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Roll on next season. Can’t wait. 100 plus and open top bus parade. And that’ll be if we stay in pl

 

I agree on the team selection and that gives us decent bench. However we need to sell a couple of players and need to buy a forward or two. Sales options besides Meslier there is Bornuaw or Struijk, Piroe who will not get a look in under DF and Gruev. Without doing some trading this January we will be relegated

 

Trouble is if we’re bottom three by the time the window opens, and we’re more than likely to be looking at the fixtures, no one decent will want to sign for a team heading for the Championship.

 

Agree but I can't see us being able to buy any forward worth his salt for what wed get for that lot. Even Piroes value will be dropping due to lack of game time I suspect

 

Good chance that we'll need Piroe next season, so cant sell him in Jan

 

Spent every penny available. I hope these guys are good at budgeting!

 

Correctomundo and Piroe valued at £16m to £22m last summer but will struggle to get £10m now and that’s why I believe the 49ers don’t have a clue. They turned down £20m last January for Meslier and now he’s worthless, they screwed up the Harrison transfer of £22m and brought him back on a longer contract, they turned down cash for Tanaka and Gruev and Struijk. Said it before mate why did we employ Greta Steinsson after he was sacked at Spurs and why did they promote him to a global role when they don’t have a global operation and right before the transfer window. These are not serious people

 

You're spot on Doc. There was a reason Kinnear walked away. He said before in an interview that the business model of signing players for less than 20m was a waste of time in the pl. He'd learned that from our previous visit. Im sure he knew the 49ers plans for this time and suspect he walked

 

They're not good at budgeting. They’re Californian Democrats and California is being run into the ground by that lot.

Hope they don’t do the same to Leeds United

 

About 50 left in the Last Man Standing, quite a few gone for 19th placed Notts Forrest (commonly referred as). We must be bad

 

Matts right. Keeping Piroe for next season in Championship is a must. Given Farkes excellent record at getting teams promoted its also a must we try to hold onto him also

 

FTFY