Leeds United

After becoming the neutral’s favourite side thanks to the entertaining style of football under Marcelo Bielsa in 2020/21, Leeds struggled to live up to expectations last season. Injuries to starting players paid their toll on the team, with Bielsa being dismissed and Jesse Marsch succeeding him in late February. Marsch fortified Leeds’ team spirit and helped them narrowly avoid relegation with a last-minute winner on the final day. Leeds cashed in on their two finest players, as Raphinha departed to Barcelona and Kalvin Phillips joined Premier League champions Man City. The club used the funds raised from these two transfers to boost their midfield with the arrivals of Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams and Marc Roca, while Luis Sinisterra joined from Feyenoord to fill in Raphinha’s void. Leeds may have needed this major squad shake-up after a dreadful campaign in which key striker Patrick Bamford only featured in nine Premier League games due to injuries. Marsch signed players that he knows from former teams RB Leipzig and RB Salzburg in his bid to infuse his philosophy into his side. Leeds’ main strength is that they are a young, energetic team and this will help them compete in a highly demanding 38-game Premier League. Marsch’s side currently boast the second-youngest side in the league. Injuries could be a potential weakness for yet another season if Leeds don’t work on their players’ fitness. Serious knocks to key players almost proved costly last season.