Leeds United have had a mixed start to the 2019-20 season. They were dumped out of the League Cup by Stoke City, and suffered their first defeat of the season against Swansea City just before the international break, and currently sit third in the Championship table.
Manager Marcelo Bielsa will not be disheartened by the two losses though, as his team have dominated games and are on course for another shot at promotion.
A few injuries to key players has depleted his squad, and once these players return, the Whites will have a strong team.
Let’s take a look at the strongest Leeds XI with all players fit:
Goalkeeper
Kiko Casilla is the No. 1 goalkeeper at Leeds United and has started all 8 games this season – 6 in the league and 2 in the League Cup.
Defence
Liam Cooper and loan signing Ben White have formed a formidable partnership at the heart of the defence as Leeds seem to have moved on quickly from the exit of experienced defender Pontus Jansson.
Right-back Luke Ayling has missed the start of the season due to injury, but will return to the team and take Stuart Dallas’ place at right-back, while experienced full-back Barry Douglas will play on the opposite side at left-back.
Midfield
Leeds’ midfield trio is a strong one, comprising of the dependable Kalvin Phillips, who plays as a defensive midfielder and sometimes even as a third centre-back, while Mateusz Klich and Adam Forshaw play ahead of him in midfield.
Jamie Shackleton is pushing for a place in the starting lineup in central midfield, but he will probably only get his chance if one of the three midfielder’s form dips significantly or if they sustain an injury.
Attack
Bielsa has more options out wide this season, thanks to a few loan signings. Experienced winger Pablo Hernandez will start from the right and has been in brilliant form this season; loan signing Helder Costa is another option on the right.
Loan signing Jack Harrison, who has returned for a second spell on loan at Leeds United from Manchester City, will start on the left.
Up front, Patrick Bamford is the first-choice striker after the departure of Kemar Roofe, but he has competition from loan signing Eddie Nketiah.
I don’t believe Bamford’s inclusion will make it the strongest XI.
If we want to convert the many chances that the team will produce, it will have to be Nketiah up front. Bamford has fluffed too many chances – unreliable.
Also I believe Costa will provide a more tricky attacking option than Harrison.