Football Season Guide

Last season ended in the ultimate disappointment for Leeds as they were beaten in the play-off final by Southampton to miss out on a direct return to the Premier League, but it probably should’ve never got to that stage. While the Whites were unlucky not to be automatically promoted with the 90 points they amassed in the league – a tally that would have been enough in the previous six seasons – they did have it all in their hands at one point. A run of just three wins from their final ten league games is essentially what saw them fall out of the running for a place in the top two. Daniel Farke has won the Championship twice previously with Norwich so it was surprising to see such a sharp drop off at the business end of his first season in charge at Elland Road. The German coach divides opinion at times amongst the fanbase, with many believing he should have comfortably guided a squad filled with Premier League quality players back to the top flight. Farke will get another crack at promotion this season but some of those star players may not wish to wait around. Speculation is bound to be rife around the likes of Willie Gnonto and Crysencio Summerville right up until the end of August for the second year in a row. Talented youngster Archie Gray has already departed for Tottenham after a breakout season, but the club did receive a hefty fee for him - along with the likes of Luis Sinistera and Glen Kamara. The club have brought in right-back Jayden Fogle and midfielder Joe Rothwell, who both have Premier League experience, but perhaps making Joe Rodon’s loan from Spurs into a permanent deal has been their most important piece of summer business so far. The Welshman was at the heart of the second-best defence in the Championship last season. The centre-forward position is the most intriguing. Patrick Bamford is the only traditional Number 9 but he is past 30-years-old now and has struggled with injuries. Joel Piroe’s first season at the club was hit and miss, with the Dutchman often playing as a Number 10. Georginio Rutter had a fine season, but he is also more of a link player. The supporters are clamouring for 20-year-old Mateo Joseph to be given a chance as the main man up front but it remains to be seen if he can handle that pressure.