Leeds United’s Gruelling Pre-Season Begins in Germany Amid High Hopes, New Faces, and Familiar Injury Concerns
After the euphoria of promotion and the jubilation of a 1-1 draw with Manchester United in a symbolic friendly, Leeds United were quickly reminded of the hard realities of life back in the Premier League. Just hours after the full-time whistle blew at Elland Road, Daniel Farke’s men were boarding a flight to Germany, setting the tone for what is shaping up to be one of the most intense and demanding pre-seasons the club has undertaken in recent years.
The message is clear: there will be no resting on laurels. Leeds are back in the top flight, but survival—and not celebration—is the priority. And as the Whites set about preparing for a season that promises to be as physically taxing as it is competitive, their manager has demanded absolute commitment, supreme fitness, and total tactical discipline.
A Crucial Summer Begins with Grit and Sweat
By the time the players laced up their boots on Monday morning at their training base in Germany, it was clear that this would be no ordinary warm-weather camp. The picturesque surroundings and cool mountain air may offer a peaceful setting, but on the pitch, the mood has been anything but relaxed. Daniel Farke, now entering his third full season with the club, has made it his mission to turn Leeds into the “fittest team in the Premier League”—a goal that many inside the club believe is essential for survival.
“This league is brutal. If you’re not fitter than your opponent, you’re already behind,” Farke reportedly told his staff before the first session.
Defender Sam Byram echoed those sentiments after Saturday’s match, insisting that every player in the squad has bought into the intensity demanded by the coaching staff. “We want to be the fittest team in the Premier League,” he said bluntly. “We want our work rate to define us this season. We’ve seen teams stay up just on the basis of fitness, pressing, and togetherness. That has to be us.”
A Reinvented Squad With Bundesliga Influence
The club’s activity in the transfer market reflects both ambition and urgency. While Leeds have not splashed money recklessly, they have moved decisively to rebuild key areas of the squad, particularly focusing on Bundesliga experience—an area Farke knows intimately.
The confirmed signings so far are:
Sebastiaan Bornauw (CB) – Wolfsburg
Lukas Nmecha (FW) – Wolfsburg
Jaka Bijol (CM/CB) – Udinese (previously at Hannover 96)
Gabriel Gudmundsson (LB/LM) – Lille
Sean Longstaff (CM) – Newcastle United
Anton Stach (CM) – Mainz (announcement imminent)
These six additions suggest a clear recruitment strategy: find players with the physicality, technical floor, and top-level experience needed to immediately contribute, but who are also at the right stage of their careers to be developed under Farke’s demanding system.
Stach, once capped by Germany, is expected to arrive shortly to bolster the midfield. With Longstaff’s Premier League know-how and Bijol’s versatility, the centre of the pitch has quietly been transformed into a more robust, mobile, and tactically intelligent unit.
Gudmundsson, familiar to Farke from their time in Germany, offers pace and adaptability on the left, while Nmecha and Bornauw bring serious pedigree—if they can stay fit.
Fitness and Fragility: The Bornauw Dilemma
Yet herein lies the early cloud hanging over this pre-season. Less than 48 hours after making his unofficial debut in the friendly against Manchester United, Sebastiaan Bornauw became the first player to raise alarm bells. The powerful Belgian centre-back, signed to replace the injury-prone Max Wöber, was forced to leave Monday’s training session early with what appeared to be a physical concern.
According to Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth, who is embedded with the squad in Germany, Bornauw was seen discussing the issue with medical staff before being escorted away from the main group. The precise nature of the problem hasn’t been disclosed, but the early withdrawal is troubling, particularly given Bornauw’s track record.
Last season alone, the 26-year-old suffered three separate injuries—a muscle strain, a foot issue, and a more serious bone edema—which collectively limited him to just 16 appearances for Wolfsburg. While the club maintains that this may be precautionary, the situation is already drawing comparisons to Wöber, whose two knee surgeries last season restricted him to fewer than ten appearances.
Leeds cannot afford another key defender spending more time in the treatment room than on the pitch.
A Worrying Pattern: Nmecha and the Road to Recovery
The same applies to Lukas Nmecha, whose injury history rivals that of Bornauw. Once a highly touted talent in Manchester City’s academy, Nmecha’s progress has been stunted by persistent muscle injuries and knee issues. Despite flashes of brilliance in Germany, the striker managed just 80 appearances over four seasons at Wolfsburg—an underwhelming return for a player of his potential.
The Leeds medical team is reportedly working closely with both players, applying load management protocols and tailored recovery plans during the camp. The priority is to have them fit—not just for the opening day of the season, but for the marathon that follows. Leeds are aware that they are taking a gamble. The upside is high; the risk is unavoidable.
A Team in Transition, A Manager with a Mission
Daniel Farke, to his credit, is no stranger to rebuilds. His time at Norwich saw him build a promotion-winning side on a shoestring budget, and then pivot again when required. At Leeds, he’s building something more layered: a blend of experience, physical resilience, tactical discipline, and youth.
He is also fostering a culture built on effort and mentality. The early signs suggest the squad has bought in. Players have spoken privately about the sheer intensity of the sessions in Germany, with some likening them to “military drills.” One source described them as “not just about fitness, but about breaking through mental limits.”
Even Sebastiaan Bornauw, speaking before his early exit, admitted that his “legs were hurting,” but emphasized that “this is what’s required. It’s what’s needed to survive this league.”
Closed-Door Friendlies and Squad Chemistry
Over the next two weeks, Leeds will face two German teams behind closed doors, offering Farke and his staff a chance to assess how the new recruits fit into the system, and to experiment with tactical variations. Whether that’s a continuation of last season’s 4-2-3-1, a shift to a 3-4-2-1 using Bijol’s flexibility, or something more conservative remains to be seen.
These matches will also be crucial for assessing the fitness and match sharpness of the new additions, particularly Bornauw and Nmecha. If either is unable to complete a full 90 minutes by the end of the tour, Leeds may need to revisit their plans—and potentially add further depth.
Eyes on August: A Season That Will Define the Project
Promotion was only step one. Now comes the true test. Leeds United are back in the Premier League, but this time under no illusions. There is no Marcelo Bielsa magic, no parachute payments safety net, no Premier League naivety. It’s a team rebuilt with purpose, but not without risks.
If the gamble on injury-prone talent pays off, Leeds may find themselves not just surviving—but thriving. If not, the path could become perilously familiar.
One thing is certain: Daniel Farke’s Leeds will not go quietly. They will run, press, and fight until their legs give out. With six new signings, a punishing pre-season underway, and a long campaign ahead, the new era has begun—not with fireworks, but with sweat, grit, and quiet determination.