Leeds United have made seven summer signings as they prepare for their Premier League return, but manager Daniel Farke admits the squad is not yet ready for the top flight, particularly in attack. The club has added height and aggression with the arrivals of goalkeeper Lucas Perri, defenders Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornouw and Gabriel Gudmundsson, and midfielders Sean Longstaff and Anton Stach. However, Lukas Nmecha is the only attacking signing so far, with Patrick Bamford set to be sold and Mateo Joseph and Joe Gelhardt out on loan.
“We are not naive,” Farke said after a 1-1 friendly against Villarreal. “We know that in the offence we are not ready for Premier League level. We know that even in comparison to our Championship offence you could say that we are not much improved.” He added that the squad must be fully competitive by the first international break in September, though he cannot guarantee that for the opening game.
The club’s transfer business has been widely praised, with Slovenia centre-half Bijol, a £15m buy from Udinese, seen as a particularly shrewd acquisition. Much will depend on how quickly the new signings adapt, and whether the team's framework can showcase the talents of last season's stars, including winger Dan James and midfielder Ao Tanaka.
Farke, who has achieved three promotions to the Premier League, remains confident despite the challenges. “In the past 21 years, Leeds have spent three seasons in the Premier League but that’s where this club belongs. My job is to keep us here,” he said. The club is also undergoing a major redevelopment of Elland Road to increase capacity to 53,000, with a planning application submitted to the city council.
Off the pitch, Robbie Evans has been appointed managing director, replacing Angus Kinnear, while Adam Underwood has been promoted to sporting director. The club must balance competitiveness with profitability and sustainability rules, a task complicated by the stadium project. The Guardian writers’ average predicted position for Leeds is 17th.
