Leeds United’s Summer Strategy: Defensive Reinforcements and the Pursuit of Stability
When a club like Leeds United returns to the Premier League after relegation, there’s always a palpable sense of urgency. For Adam Underwood and manager Daniel Farke, the priority this summer has been crystal clear: stabilize the defence. The Premier League is a tough, high-pressure environment where teams must be hard to break down if they want to survive and thrive. Leeds learned this the hard way in previous seasons, and this time, they’re determined to get it right from the start.
Key Departures:
Junior Firpo, who was on loan from Barcelona, has now left the club permanently. His performances were often inconsistent, and with his departure, Leeds needed to replace him on the left flank.
Max Wober, another defender who played a key role in the team’s promotion push, has joined Werder Bremen, signaling a further reshuffling of Leeds’ defensive personnel.
This reshuffling wasn’t just about replacing players—it was about reinforcing the backline with the right quality, ensuring that Leeds would be able to cope with the physical demands and quick pace of the Premier League. This summer, Leeds have been proactive in their signings, with a few crucial additions that should provide much-needed depth and stability.
The New Defensive Additions: Strengthening from the Back
In their pursuit of a reliable defence, Leeds have made several strategic signings, with each one bringing something different to the table:
- Jaka Bijol: The signing of Jaka Bijol from a European club has added a layer of physicality to the squad. Known for his no-nonsense defending and leadership qualities, Bijol provides Leeds with a tall and commanding centre-back who can deal with aerial threats and stand up to the best attackers the Premier League has to offer. His presence will be crucial in maintaining defensive solidity, especially in tight matches.
- Sebastiaan Bornauw: Another centre-back, Sebastiaan Bornauw, joins from VfL Wolfsburg. At 6’4” and with a strong aerial presence, Bornauw adds not just physicality but also a good range of passing out from the back. He’s a player who can contribute both defensively and in starting attacks from deep, something that fits well into Farke’s preferred style of ball-playing football. Leeds’ backline was often criticized for its inability to deal with set-pieces and crosses last season, and Bornauw should go a long way toward rectifying that weakness.
- Gabriel Gudmundsson: The Gabriel Gudmundsson deal is nearing completion, and his addition will offer Leeds a more versatile defensive option. As a player who can operate both at left-back and in central defence, Gudmundsson provides flexibility. This is particularly important as Leeds look to adjust their tactics based on their opposition, and Gudmundsson’s ability to cover multiple positions means Farke will have more options in terms of tactical shifts and formations.
These defensive additions, while strengthening the overall depth, also provide Leeds with players who can handle the diverse demands of the Premier League. Whether it’s dealing with fast-paced attacks, aerial duels, or breaking up opposition plays, these new signings are expected to bring a level of stability and assurance that was lacking in previous seasons.
Shifting the Focus: Improving the Attack
While Leeds’ defensive overhaul has been largely successful, it’s no secret that the real test will come in the final third of the pitch. Leeds have always prided themselves on playing attacking football, but in recent years, their attacking play has been inconsistent, with a notable lack of creativity and efficiency in front of goal. Therefore, Leeds have now turned their attention to bolstering their offensive options, with a few clear priorities:
- A Creative No. 10 to Pull the Strings
One of the most pressing needs for Leeds is to sign a No. 10—a creative playmaker capable of unlocking opposition defences with intelligent passing and vision. Under Daniel Farke, the No. 10 role is central to the way Leeds want to play, as it allows them to control the tempo of the game and create chances for the strikers and wingers.
Leeds have been heavily linked with players who fit the mould of a traditional No. 10—someone who can dictate play, break down opposition lines, and provide a link between midfield and attack. Whether this player will be a big-name signing or a more under-the-radar talent remains to be seen, but this remains a critical gap in their squad.
- A Proven Premier League Striker
With Lukas Nmecha and Joel Piroe currently competing for the striker position, Leeds will almost certainly need to sign a more experienced Premier League forward. While Nmecha has potential, and Piroe has shown glimpses of quality, neither have proven themselves consistently at the top level. A proven striker, one capable of scoring goals and offering a reliable presence in the box, will be key if Leeds want to stay competitive in the Premier League.
This search for a striker might involve some tough decisions, especially considering the inflated market for forwards in the Premier League. Whether Leeds opt for a more established forward or a younger prospect is still unclear, but either way, this signing will be pivotal.
- A New Winger Following Solomon’s Departure
With Manor Solomon returning to Spurs after his loan spell, Leeds are left without a natural left-wing option. This is a crucial area of the field where Leeds need to find a quality replacement. The left-wing position has been one of Leeds’ weaknesses in recent seasons, and filling this gap will be vital for providing balance to the team.
One player who has surfaced as a potential target is Franck Honorat from Borussia Monchengladbach—a name that has been heavily linked with a move to Leeds this summer. Honorat’s potential arrival could offer Leeds much-needed creativity and goalscoring threat down the wing. However, his best position is on the right wing, which introduces an interesting tactical dilemma.
Franck Honorat: The Tactical Puzzle
While Franck Honorat would be a welcome addition to Leeds’ squad, there’s a tactical conundrum surrounding his best position. The French winger has spent the majority of his career on the right flank, where he has been able to cut inside and use his strong right foot to score and assist.
Leeds, however, have a pressing need for a left-winger, as they look to replace Manor Solomon, whose absence leaves a gap in that area. If Honorat arrives, Farke may need to adjust the system to either:
- Move Honorat to the Left Wing: While Honorat is not accustomed to playing on the left, it is possible that Farke could experiment with him cutting inside from that side, much like he did for Brest and Gladbach. However, adapting to the left wing might take time, and it’s unclear whether Honorat could have the same impact there as he did on the right.
- Shift Dan James or Willy Gnonto to the Left: Dan James and Willy Gnonto have both been primarily deployed on the right wing, but they could be asked to switch flanks. Gnonto has experience playing on the left for Italy, making him a natural candidate for the role. James, while more comfortable on the right, also has the versatility to play on the left. However, this would require both players to adapt, and it remains to be seen how they would perform in this new role.
In short, while Honorat’s arrival would undoubtedly strengthen the squad, it could lead to some tactical reshuffling that may take time to settle into place.
The Corberan Factor: Competition from Valencia
As if Leeds didn’t have enough challenges, Carlos Corberan, who was once the assistant manager at Leeds, is now in charge of Valencia and is reportedly interested in signing Franck Honorat for his new club. This adds an intriguing layer of competition for Leeds, as Corberan’s familiarity with Honorat could give Valencia an edge in the race for the winger’s signature.
The La Liga club could offer Honorat a move to a major European league, and Corberan’s involvement could make the prospect of joining Valencia even more appealing. For Leeds, this means they’ll have to act quickly and decisively if they want to secure Honorat, or they could risk losing out to a well-positioned rival.
Final Thoughts: A Critical Summer for Leeds United
In conclusion, this summer is one of critical importance for Leeds United as they aim to build a squad capable of not only surviving in the Premier League but pushing for more. Their defensive overhaul is largely complete, with several key signings providing much-needed depth and quality. The next task is to sort out their attacking options, particularly through the signing of a creative No. 10, a reliable striker, and, of course, a winger to replace Manor Solomon.
The potential signing of Franck Honorat would be an excellent step toward strengthening the squad, but tactical adjustments will be needed to accommodate him. Additionally, with Carlos Corberan and Valencia lurking in the background, Leeds will need to ensure they act quickly if they are to secure Honorat’s signature.
Leeds’ summer transfer activity will be a defining factor in their ability to compete at the highest level, and with a few more key signings, they could be poised for a successful return to the Premier League.