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Leeds United’s strongest XI after transfer window following Mateo Joseph decision

Daniel Farke embraces Mateo Joseph and Manor Solomon
-Credit:Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images


Leeds United’s squad slimmed during the January transfer window with the club allowing five players to leave, two permanently, and no signings made.

It’s the third time in five years that United have not recruited anyone in the winter market. Daniel Farke had always maintained he was expecting a quiet window, albeit would remain awake to opportunities. And in the end, none such opportunities opened up.

Going out of Elland Road was Sonny Perkins, who joined loan club Leyton Orient on a permanent basis and academy defender Jeremiah Mullen, who left for Dunfermline. It meant Leeds recorded a minus net spend this month. They also allowed Joe Gelhardt to leave on loan to Hull City for the rest of the campaign.

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The same was granted to Charlie Crew at Doncaster Rovers and academy forward Luca Thomas at Halifax Town. Meanwhile, over the past month, players returned from injury while others took their form to new heights.

And so Farke might now have an even clearer picture of who makes his strongest XI. He has thrown his weight behind Illan Meslier as his number one goalkeeper despite his blunders against Sunderland and most recently Hull City this season.

He is second to only James Trafford in the Championship clean sheets chart, with his 18 blanks two fewer than Burnley star’s 20. Of course, this has partly to do with the defence.

Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon have paired together solidly as Farke’s “Welsh wall’ in recent matches but the manager has often underlined how he likes Ampadu in midfield. With Pascal Struijk now back from injury, he can push his captain further up the park.

Jayden Bogle is making a case to be the Championship’s best right-back and recently won the praise of his manager for being his player of the match in across the festive period's fixtures. On the other flank, Sam Byram has done well while filling in at left-back.

However, natural choice Junior Firpo showed his true class against Cardiff on Saturday by assisting three of the seven goals that went in. He missed seven matches over the festive period due to a foot problem - not that Leeds suffered much. But he should be the left-back of choice.

Leeds United full back Junior Firpo.
Leeds United full back Junior Firpo.

Alongside Ampadu in midfield it is a toss up between Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell. Both have played well together while Ampadu has had to sit in defence, and Rothwell’s dangerous set-pieces are delightful.

But the tenacity and general keep-ball of Tanaka perhaps edges him slightly ahead, especially given his two goals and assist in the last five matches. Rothwell is appreciated but has failed to score all season and his last of two assists came some 11 outings ago.

Brenden Aaronson has to be picked at number 10 due to a lack of direct alternatives. He has shown what he is capable of at times this season and Leeds do have a talent on their books. The jury is still out on whether he is reaching maximum output but he is a quality player for the level.

Both wing selections are undroppable. Daniel James and Manor Solomon have has recorded three goals and three assists apiece in their last six Championship matches. Their output covered the dip in form of Joel Piroe prior to Saturday’s mauling of Cardiff.

Piroe, top scorer on 12 goals, showed his true colours against the Bluebirds by dropping to be a creative force for both opening goals, before showing his clinical touch via his penalty and last-gasp strike.

Mateo Joseph also got on the scoresheet for the first time since October, which marked his third goal of the season. Joseph saw a bid in excess of £10million from Real Betis rejected over the weekend.

Injury to Patrick Bamford meant he was always unlikely to leave, and at 21, Joseph has a lot of potential to give. Although, as of now, Piroe is in no danger of being dropped for him.

Leeds United’s strongest XI: Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Ampadu, Tanaka; James, Aaronson, Solomon; Piroe.