Chelsea wonderkid Conor Gallagher and Ollie Watkins – How Leeds could line-up in the Premier League next season
Leeds United are a Premier League team once more after 16 years outside the top flight.
Fans have been waiting a while to see the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea at Elland Road.
Bielsa will forever be etched into Leeds folklore after steering them back into the top-flight
It may still be some time before they actually see them in person due to all games currently being played behind closed doors amid the coronavirus pandemic.
They had to watch on as Leeds secured promotion by finishing top of the Championship but it didn’t take the gloss off the achievement.
Leeds have a top manager in Marcelo Bielsa, a Premier League worthy stadium in Elland Road, and now all they need is a squad to compete.
The Yorkshire club have been linked with at least five players and have until October 5 to complete their deals.
“Leeds fans have been through so much in the last 16 years – this is for them,” says Whites star Stuart Dallas
The season is still five weeks away so there is plenty of time for improvement.
Here at talkSPORT.com, we’ve taken a look at who Leeds could sign this summer.
Conor Gallagher
The midfielder had a good season in the Championship with Charlton and then the second half of the season with Swansea.
The Swans scraped into the play-offs on the final day of the season but lost to Brentford in the semi-final.
The 20-year-old has earned rave reviews and appears to be destined for bigger and better things.
Gallagher is one of the hardest working players on the pitch and will not stop running for the 90 minutes.
Reports suggest that the midfielder will either go out on loan to a Premier League club or could even be sold to fund transfers for Frank Lampard.
Leeds have been linked and he could prove to be a good addition to the midfield.
Conor Gallagher was on loan with Charlton and Swansea in the Championship
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Ben White
White was on loan with Marcelo Bielsa’s side last season and was phenomenal all season. He featured in all 46 of their Championship games as they won the league title.
Brighton may be reluctant to sell considering he’s not actually played a league game for them yet.
Leeds have seen two bids turned down with the second believed to be in the region of £22million.
Liverpool and Chelsea are also said to be interested with the Seagulls reportedly wanting around £40m.
That price tag may be a little outside of their reach but there is a strong chance he will rejoin Leeds this summer.
Ben White has been linked to Leeds, Chelsea and Liverpool
Nicolae Stanciu
Leeds were said to be tracking the £7m-rated Slavia Prague attacking midfielder.
The Romania international scored four goals to help his side win the Czech First League.
The 27-year-old has plenty of experience having played for Anderlecht, Sparta Prague and Steaua Bucharest.
He also has played 59 times in European competitions, so could add some much needed top level experience.
Nicolae Stanciu could be a target of Leeds this summer
Ollie Watkins
Leeds will want a new striker for next season as there continues to be doubts over Patrick Bamford’s capabilities.
Bamford scored 16 goals in the Championship but also had 143 total shots, which is a poor conversion rate.
Watkins could be the ideal fit for Bielsa’s side and would be available for just £18m due to a reported buyout clause.
Brentford were beaten in the Championship play-off final and the clause in his contract was activated.
He scored 25 goals in the league last season and looks ready to make the step up to the top flight.
Watkins can leave for just £18million this summer
How Leeds United could look in the Premier League…
4-1-4-1
Marcelo Bielsa’s go-to formation last season was the 4-1-4-1 with Kalvin Phillips sitting in front of a back four.
Those at the back are unlikely to change, as long as he signs Ben White from Brighton. Leeds conceded just 35 goals in the Championship last season in 46 games.
The midfield is where things could change with Conor Gallagher coming in to the middle alongside Mateusz Klich. It could depend on who Leeds are playing with Gallagher possibly rotating with Stanciu to give a more attacking option.
Jack Harrison and Helder Costa were excellent all season on the flanks and could provide Ollie Watkins plenty of goalscoring opportunities.
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