🏁 Leeds United’s Full-Back Puzzle: Why James Justin Is Their Ideal Signing
As the countdown to the 2025/26 Premier League season continues, Leeds United find themselves in a familiar position — planning an urgent, calculated rebuild to ensure survival and competitiveness in the top flight. After returning to the Premier League, the club has wasted no time reinforcing the squad, with a number of high-profile additions already secured. But amid the focus on attacking additions and midfield balance, one area of continued concern has emerged: full-back depth.
In this context, Leeds United’s “serious interest” in Leicester City’s James Justin makes absolute sense. With just weeks remaining in the summer transfer window and under three weeks before their Premier League opener against Everton, the need for a dynamic, experienced, two-footed full-back has never been clearer.
Let’s explore exactly why James Justin is not only a great fit for Leeds’ current needs — but also a potential long-term cornerstone in the 49ers’ blueprint for sustainable Premier League growth.
⚪️🔵 Leeds United: The Current State of the Squad
🔄 A Busy Summer So Far
Leeds have already made seven summer signings:
Sean Longstaff – Box-to-box midfielder from Newcastle
Gabriel Gudmundsson – Left-back from Lille
Lucas Perri – Goalkeeper from Botafogo
Anton Stach – Deep-lying midfielder from Mainz
And several others in advanced talks or final stages.
The club reportedly still wants to sign:
A striker
A winger
A more attacking midfielder
At least one full-back, preferably someone comfortable on both flanks
This final need is what has drawn the club toward James Justin, especially as the loan exit of Isaac Schmidt to Werder Bremen hinges on finding a replacement.
🧩 The Full-Back Conundrum at Elland Road
✅ Gabriel Gudmundsson
Dynamic but left-sided specialist
New to English football; will need adaptation time
✅ Jayden Bogle
Right-sided player, suited to overlapping role
Still developing defensively
✅ Sam Byram
Vastly experienced, two-footed, and dependable
But turns 32 this season, and is injury-prone
✅ Isaac Schmidt
Technically gifted, but not fully trusted by Farke
Set for a loan if a new full-back arrives
As it stands, Leeds don’t have a young, Premier League-ready full-back who can comfortably play on both sides of the pitch — a tactical priority for Daniel Farke, who values flexibility and fluid systems.
🎯 James Justin: Profile of a Versatile Premier League Full-Back
📌 Basic Info
Age: 27
Height: 6’0″
Preferred Foot: Right (but proficient with both)
Nationality: England (1 senior cap)
Current Club: Leicester City
Contract: Final 12 months – expires in June 2026
📊 Positional Versatility
James Justin offers remarkable balance in terms of deployment:
122 matches on the right (RB/RWB)
108 matches on the left (LB/LWB)
Several appearances as a right-sided centre-back
Few full-backs in Europe can claim such a symmetrical track record. This kind of two-footed, dual-flank ability is invaluable in a league as demanding as the Premier League.
📈 Tactical Fit Under Daniel Farke
Daniel Farke’s system relies heavily on ball-progression from wide areas, intelligent pressing, and inverted or overlapping full-backs. His full-backs are often expected to:
Play high and wide when in possession
Tuck into midfield when pressing
Be comfortable receiving under pressure
Support transitions with accurate crossing and passing
Justin excels in each of these roles. During his time under Brendan Rodgers at Leicester, he operated in a possession-dominant system similar to Farke’s, often being tasked with overlapping or underlapping runs. His athleticism, composure, and awareness in and out of possession mirror the exact traits Farke wants from his wide defenders.
🩺 Injury Recovery and Current Fitness
Yes, Justin suffered a serious ACL injury in early 2021. But his recovery has been smooth and carefully managed:
Returned to regular training by late 2021
Played a consistent role in 2022/23 and 2023/24 for Leicester
Was part of Leicester’s promotion campaign last season
Importantly, there have been no relapses, and he’s been steadily increasing his minutes. Leeds, who have struggled with injury-prone defenders in recent seasons, would be wise to look at his current condition rather than his medical history. At 27, Justin is entering his prime years — and looks physically strong and tactically sharper than ever.
💷 Contract Status: A Smart Financial Opportunity
Justin is entering the final year of his deal at Leicester. This presents an ideal buying scenario for Leeds:
Leicester risk losing him for free next summer
The player might not be central to their long-term plans
A cut-price fee in the £7m–£10m range is likely
This approach aligns perfectly with the 49ers’ strategy of identifying undervalued Premier League-proven assets — players with high resale value, low adaptation risk, and clear upside.
Remember, this is a club that wants to build smart, not splash recklessly.
🧠 Off-the-Pitch Intelligence & Professionalism
Former coaches and teammates consistently highlight Justin’s:
Mature attitude
Leadership qualities
Willingness to learn
He’s well-liked in the dressing room and has a calm, focused demeanor — not unlike other modern leaders like Declan Rice or Kieran Trippier. That presence could be a crucial asset in a relatively young and rebuilding Leeds side.
⚽ Set-Piece Quality: An Underutilized Asset
While not used for free-kicks at Leicester recently, Justin was a regular set-piece taker at Luton Town. This is significant — Leeds have lacked any reliable dead-ball specialist in recent years, especially from wide angles.
With Justin in the team, Leeds could gain a threat from corners, wide free-kicks, and even as a short-passing option for set-piece routines — something Farke has used extensively in the past.
📅 Timing, Squad Balance & What This Means for Schmidt
Crucially, the signing of Justin would:
Allow Farke to sanction Isaac Schmidt’s loan to Werder Bremen
Free up Byram for a more rotational role
Give Leeds cover in case of an injury crisis on either flank
Reduce tactical predictability by having an interchangeable wide threat
The transfer window closes soon, and Justin’s availability, versatility, and affordability make this a time-sensitive opportunity Leeds cannot afford to miss.
🧮 Leeds’ Ideal Full-Back Roster If Justin Signs
Player Primary Side Versatility Age
James Justin Both LB, RB, RCB 27
Gabriel Gudmundsson Left LWB, LB 25
Jayden Bogle Right RWB 24
Sam Byram Both RB, LB, CM (depth) 31
This setup offers flexibility, rotation, and Premier League experience — something Leeds lacked in their previous two top-flight campaigns.
🧾 Final Verdict: A Must-Do Deal
Leeds United’s serious interest in James Justin is not just logical — it’s essential. At this stage of their rebuild, they need:
Versatility ✅
Premier League experience ✅
Two-footed balance ✅
Tactical flexibility ✅
Affordability ✅
Peak-age potential ✅
If the club can close this deal, they’ll not only address a key weakness but also strengthen the squad for years to come, adding a player who can adapt to multiple systems and offer stability, creativity, and resilience.