Leeds United fans will have taken a lot of confidence from their 0-0 draw with Manchester United in Stockholm, Sweden.
Jaka Bijol looked solid at the back, Lukas Nmecha led the line well for Leeds and Illia Gruev proved that he shouldn’t be forgotten in the middle despite a flurry of new signings.
Leeds gave a good account of themselves, but in order to be ready for the new Premier League season, Daniel Farke has a few areas of concern.
First of all, Farke made the club’s stance on Patrick Bamford’s future very clear, stressing Leeds’ need to recruit a new number nine.
And although Karl Darlow and Illan Meslier both looked solid enough against Man United’s front line, Leeds still desperately need to sign a new goalkeeper.
Leeds should sign Aaron Ramsdale as their new number one
During the 2021/22 season, Marcelo Bielsa’s last in charge at Elland Road, Leeds made do with a combo of Meslier and Kristoffer Klaesson.
And following narrow survival under the guidance of Jesse Marsch, Leeds continued to put faith in Meslier, as they have done ever since.
However, Meslier clearly struggled in a title-winning side last season, hence why he lost his place to Darlow in the closing weeks of the campaign.
And now, with Aaron Ramsdale ready to leave Southampton, it’s time for Leeds to table a bid.
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Of late, West Ham have shown interest in Ramsdale, but it seems as if no Premier League side has made a concerted effort to sign the former Sheffield United player.
When it comes to Ramsdale’s future, he’s often been wrongfully branded as a goalkeeper who lends himself to relegation, given he’s gone down with Bournemouth, Sheff United and Southampton in the past.
However, with the kind of back line Leeds are building in front of him, Ramsdale could be a huge success at Elland Road.
Karl Darlow isn’t the answer for Leeds in the Premier League
In that regard, TBR Football understands that Southampton would want at least £25m for Ramsdale, recouping the fee they paid Arsenal last summer.
And given that interest is mounting in Meslier, that shouldn’t be entirely beyond the 49ers’ reach.
Leeds have made very sensible additions in the shape of Sean Longstaff and Gabriel Gudmundsson of late, and Anton Stach is now set to follow.
And whilst some might perceive Ramsdale as a risk — that’s not quite the reality. He’s a tried and tested Premier League goalkeeper who won a spot in the 2022/23 PFA Team of the Year.
Leeds need to address their goalkeeping situation as soon as possible, and the likes of Bijol are already proving what a pre-season can do to help a player settle.
Leeds conceded 78 goals in their last season in the top flight with Meslier in goal, more than any other side, and whilst Darlow might prove more reliable, the club should have bigger ambitions.