LEEDS, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Detail view of the Leeds United club badge on the corner flag prior to the Premier League match between Leeds United and Newcastle United at Elland Road on December 16, 2020 in Leeds, England.The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Rui Vieira - Pool/Getty Images)
Leeds United fans are waiting for The 49ers to switch tack and focus on incoming signings at Elland Road this summer, but Dan James is already delighted with one thing they have done so far.
The first few weeks has seen the Leeds board and transfer team comprising of Nick Hammond, Gretar Steinsson and Jordan Miles sell players and balance the books, and sort out Victor Orta’s loan army.
Archie Gray, Kris Klaesson, Marc Roca, Diego Llorente and Kris Klaesson have all been sold for a fee. Duo Lew Bate and Jamie Shackleton have joined Stockport County and Sheffield United on free transfers.
Liam Cooper, Cody Drameh and Ian Poveda remain free agents, while Jack Harrison, Sonny Perkins, Sam Greenwood and Darko Gyabi have gone out on loan. Glen Kamara could be the next one to leave Leeds.
Dan James over the moon with one thing The 49ers have done
Leeds have hardly moved the other way given the amount of players to go. Alex Cairns has come in as a replacement for Klaesson, but is hardly a signing that improves the starting XI during the 2024-25 season.
Joe Rothwell on loan from Bournemouth is a solid signing and gives Leeds a bit more attacking impetus from midfield. But again, perhaps brought in to provide depth rather than seen as a starting midfielder.
The one other incoming though will have delighted fans, and it has certainly made James happy. Gray’s move to Spurs allowed Leeds to strike a deal for Joe Rodon. James told LUTV it’s “massive” Rodon is back.
“It’s great we’ve signed Joe and we’ve got him so early, he was obviously here all last season so he’s just fit in straight away again. A lot of people, fans especially, would’ve been gutted if we didn’t keep Joe.
“It’s gutting to see Archie go, but it’s great to get Joe in. He was a massive part of our team last year, we had a great defensive record and he was a massive part. To get Joe in is a really positive signing for us.”
Where else do Leeds need to strengthen before opener?
With just 26 days left to go before the opener against Portsmouth on August 10 at Elland Road, Leeds need to make some signings. A right-back has got to be of paramount importance moving forward.
Cover at centre-back with Cooper and Cresswell gone, competition for Junior Firpo, a replacement for Kamara, wingers to replaces Jaidon Anthony and Poveda should be on the agenda in the next few weeks.
