{"id":396501,"date":"2025-09-04T06:02:17","date_gmt":"2025-09-04T06:02:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/396501\/"},"modified":"2025-09-04T06:02:17","modified_gmt":"2025-09-04T06:02:17","slug":"leeds-uniteds-best-xi-following-deadline-day-fiasco-including-six-new-signings","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/396501\/","title":{"rendered":"Leeds United\u2019s best XI following deadline day fiasco, including six new signings"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The 49ers aimed to rebuild Leeds United in the Premier League under Daniel Farke\u2019s tutelage, which is why they have signed 10 players.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Making Premier League football stick is the key, which is why Leeds United<\/a> returned to the Premier League<\/a> with a flurry of activity in the 2025 summer transfer window.<\/p>\n

They were aiming to build a squad with the experience, physicality, and depth required for survival under Farke. However, many Leeds fans have been left frustrated after deadline day<\/a> and the fiasco of not signing at least one attacker as Farke asked.<\/p>\n

\n

Farke still hoping for 2 more signings before Monday night. Didn\u2019t comment when asked about Buonanotte.
\u201cThere\u2019s always hope.\u201d when asked about additions before window closes. #LUFC<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Adam Pope (@apopey) August 30, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

View Tweet<\/p>\n

That said, their approach featured a blend of shrewd free transfers, targeted signings from European clubs, and strategic reinforcements across all areas of the pitch. It may not have been enough, but there is absolutely quality there.<\/p>\n

\"EthanPhoto by Michael Regan\/Getty ImagesLeeds United\u2019s best XI detailed<\/p>\n

Leeds spent less than Sunderland and Burnley<\/a> in the end but the\u00a0amount of Premier League appearances in the Leeds squad<\/a>\u00a0compared with their promoted peers\u00a0is substantial.<\/p>\n

Farke has talked up tactical flexibility in the Premier League<\/a>\u00a0improving as well this season, albeit that has not been showcased in every single fixture thus far. <\/p>\n

Given the size and power in the side, it\u2019s fair to say that the 49ers appear to have done their Premier League research<\/a>\u00a0on what it takes to survive. However, many feel as though the Whites are one or two attackers short.<\/p>\n\nName<\/strong><\/td>\nClub signed from<\/strong><\/td>\nPrice<\/strong><\/td>\nHeight<\/strong><\/td>\nAge<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nAnton Stach<\/td>\nTSG Hoffenheim<\/td>\n\u00a319.9m<\/td>\n6\u20194\u2033<\/td>\n26<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nNoah Okafor<\/td>\nAC Milan<\/td>\n\u00a318m<\/td>\n6\u20191\u2033<\/td>\n25<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nLucas Perri<\/td>\nOlympique Lyonnais<\/td>\n\u00a315.6m<\/td>\n6\u20196\u2033<\/td>\n27<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nSean Longstaff<\/td>\nNewcastle United<\/td>\n\u00a315m<\/td>\n6\u20192\u2033<\/td>\n27<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nJaka Bijol<\/td>\nUdinese<\/td>\n\u00a315m<\/td>\n6\u20193\u2033<\/td>\n26<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nGabriel Gudmundsson<\/td>\nLille OSC<\/td>\n\u00a310m<\/td>\n5\u201911\u201d<\/td>\n26<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nJames Justin<\/td>\nLeicester City<\/td>\n\u00a310m<\/td>\n6\u20190\u2033<\/td>\n27<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nSebastiaan Bornauw<\/td>\nVfL Wolfsburg<\/td>\n\u00a35m<\/td>\n6\u20193\u2033<\/td>\n26<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nLukas Nmecha<\/td>\nVfL Wolfsburg<\/td>\nFree<\/td>\n6\u20191\u2033<\/td>\n26<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n\nDominic Calvert-Lewin<\/td>\nEverton<\/td>\nFree<\/td>\n6\u20192\u2033<\/td>\n28<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

Leeds\u2019 signings 2025\/26 <\/p>\n

MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES<\/p>\n

It was a total spend of \u00a3108.5 million in the end, with every player 5\u201911\u201d or taller, and every one of them also aged between 25 and 28. Anton Stach has been named the best Leeds signing<\/a> of the lot, though.<\/p>\n

Naturally, he is part of their best XI, and other new boys such as Gabriel Gudmundsson and Lucas Perri appear to have settled in the quickest regarding Farke\u2019s plans but what actually is the best team he can field as an XI? We take a look, here.<\/p>\n

\"LeedsLeeds United best XI 2025\/26<\/p>\n

Of course, some of them are obvious, but below we discuss the most contentious calls in terms of the team, including player profiles which blend best together.<\/p>\n

The Jaka Bijol decision <\/p>\n

Jaka Bijol will work his way into this team one way or another. The question is when not if but also for Joe Rodon or Pascal Struijk?<\/p>\n

Both Struijk and Rodon were disappointing against Arsenal but have held their own well outside of that, and either would be a worthy partner for Bijol, as it merely comes down to the Welshman\u2019s recovery pace in the end.<\/p>\n

Ao Tanaka and Sean Longstaff<\/p>\n

The approach alongside Anton Stach and Ethan Ampadu is entirely a horses for courses one. There will be games where one of the players suits more than the other.<\/p>\n

There are question marks over Tanaka\u2019s physicality for Leeds<\/a> at this level, but no such worries over Longstaff exist. In games Leeds dominate or play a bit more \u2014 Tanaka. In games where Leeds are up against it \u2014 Longstaff. Simple.<\/p>\n

No Dan James for Leeds<\/p>\n

Dan James\u2019 intensity off the ball, speed in transition, and moments of real quality were evident in the Championship; but his upside is less pronounced in the top flight where more guile is required.<\/p>\n

Willy Gnonto has never hit the same amount of goal contributions under Farke, but he should get more out of Jayden Bogle behind him and both Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin in terms of his skill-set meshing with those players.<\/p>\n