Five things from Leeds United’s pre-season, ‘Joe Salah’, system tweak and a striker need | OneFootball

Leeds United’s pre-season clarified Daniel Farke’s plan. Leeds Live notes six friendlies across three countries produced 14 goals, including wins over Champions League sides Liverpool and RB Leipzig and a draw with Manchester United.

Early squad calls saw Joe Gelhardt, now at Hull City, and Largie Ramazani left out. James Trafford arrived, and as Sebastiaan Bornauw looked Hamburg-bound, Leeds moved for Borussia Monchengladbach defender Nico Elvedi, who is set to enrol in the next day or so.

It is clear Farke will start with a back three and wing-backs, despite Harry Wilson saying on arrival the manager preferred a back four. The shape places Wilson as the second wide 10, with in-game switches likely.

Post-Augsburg, the ‘Joe Salah’ tag could stick as Joe Rodon made repeated runs from right centre-back, with Jayden Bogle rotating behind. In build-up from the goalkeeper Leeds often showed a 2-1-4-3, even 2-1-6-1.

A back-up striker remains essential. Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed the first two games and, although Lukas Nmecha and Joel Piroe scored among four goals, the central focal point was lacking, with Piroe seemingly set to depart before deadline day. Sean Longstaff’s form was a major plus, and academy prospects Callum Mills, Alfie Cresswell and Jayden Lienou impressed, with Paraag Marathe’s push for clearer pathways underpinning that outlook.

Source: Leeds Live

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