Leeds United are due a major exodus including USMNT talents Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams following the club’s relegation from the Premier League in the final match of the season. In The Athletic Football Podcast, Elland Road correspondent Phil Hay stated that “There will be no legacy” of the club’s time in the top division if the side loses all of its young and exciting players to interested clubs.
‘No Legacy’ of Leeds United Successes as Club Await Exodus
Players Leeds United Look Likely to Lose
Elland Road is sure to lose a vast proportion of its current first team. The aforementioned Adams and Aaronson reportedly have relegation release clauses, with long-term winger at the Yorkshire club Jack Harrison expected to follow after almost leaving the club in January. Illan Meslier, who consistently impresses for the French U21 side, will also look for top-flight football in order to secure a position in the national squad ahead of Euro 2024 in Germany.
Surprisingly, that isn’t all. Youngster Wilfried Gnonto keeps securing places in the Italian national setup, and Luis Sinisterra impressed significantly in the few matches he was able to be fit. Furthermore, the club’s only fit striker, Rodrigo, scored over ten league goals this season and will certainly attract attention. The squad is likely to be stripped to the bone, and potentially beyond.
What Else Do The Whites Need to Do?
Aside from all of the Leeds United transfers that are inevitable, the very structure of the club needs to be worked on. Whites owner Andrea Radrizzani was nowhere to be seen on the final day but his first bid for Italian side Sampdoria was rejected. The club is in limbo between two owners, and until that is sorted the rebuild cannot properly begin. Once someone takes full control they have a lot of work to do, with no Director of Football at the club and no permanent managerial appointment for the upcoming Championship campaign.
Why were Leeds United relegated?
The bulk of the Whites’ issues in the past season were structural, with mistakes made in recruitment, managerial hires and at the ownership level. Players were yanked from one tactical system to the next with no thought for continuity, resulting in dire defensive performances and an attack almost entirely reliant on individual flare.
These issues are sure to persist until an agreement has been reached between the 49ers and Radrizzani, as there is inevitably a paralysis between two parties with near-half ownership, neither of whom wishing to commit to decisions harming their assets. It is an extremely tumultuous time at Elland Road and one that fans want to see resolved as soon as possible.
More must-reads: