Chris
Leeds United have arguably their strongest squad depth in several years this season.
Daniel Farke has a plethora of options in every position across the pitch which is something Leeds managers have not had at their disposal in a long time.
Leeds had a number of key players out through injury or suspension against Watford last weekend, but Farke was still able to name an XI with four changes from the draw at Hull City, which produced the best performance of the season.
If Farke ever has a fully fit squad to choose from at any point this season, he will have to leave out some big names from the bench, never mind the starting XI.
So, with that in mind, we have taken a look at what Leeds’ best fully fit XI and substitute’s bench would look like.
Goalkeeper
Illan Meslier has regained some of his confidence after last season and is firmly Leeds’ number one again ahead of Karl Darlow.
Defence
Farke’s options at the back were a little stretched last weekend but Leeds’ fully fit defence looks as good as anyone’s in the league this season.
Once he eventually returns from injury, Djed Spence will take his place at right-back ahead of Luke Ayling, with Sam Byram getting the nod on the other side over Junior Firpo.
Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk have built a strong partnership in their matches together this season meaning captain Liam Cooper misses out.
Midfield
Leeds have four top players vying for two spots in midfield but the one guaranteed starter is Ethan Ampadu, who has been exceptional since his summer arrival.
That leaves Archie Gray, Glen Kamara and Ilia Gruev to battle it out, with the former having started all but one game in all competitions this season.
However, if everyone is fully fit, it is Kamara who just about edges it alongside Ampadu.
Attack
Again, out wide, Leeds have four players competing against one another for two positions, all of whom are Premier League proven.
It is extremely close, but Willy Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville still feels like Leeds’ strongest winger pairing at this stage, just ahead of Jaidon Anthony and Dan James.
Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter complete the attack, with Patrick Bamford a more than able deputy at this level.
Subs
Darlow is, of course, the current number two behind Meslier and is arguably the best backup goalkeeper in the division.
Farke would have to make some really tough choices on who to leave out if he ever has a fully fit squad, and unfortunately Jamie Shackleton, Charlie Cresswell and Stuart Dallas (until he is able to really prove his fitness) fall under that category.
Ayling, Cooper and Firpo form Leeds’ trio of defensive substitutes, with Gruev and Gray also taking their spots on the bench.
James, Anthony and Bamford are all extremely strong backup options to Leeds’ first choice frontline, meaning Joe Gelhardt and Ian Poveda miss out.
Best XI (4-2-3-1): Meslier; Spence, Rodon, Struijk, Byram; Ampadu, Kamara; Summerville, Piroe, Gnonto; Rutter
Bench: Darlow, Ayling, Cooper, Firpo, Gray, Gruev, James, Anthony, Bamford
