Leeds United have surprised everyone with the team news tonight ahead of the clash between the club and York City. The likes of Jamal Blackman and Tyler Roberts aren’t in the squad, along with the entire team who started at Forest Green on Tuesday night. The lack of signings at the club is worrying, and this squad shows the lack of depth currently at the club.
Having said that there are some familiar faces involved and it’s probably the chance for some players to show they can be part of Marcelo Bielsa’s plans. Ronaldo Vieira and Mateusz Klich are involved, as are some of the talented youngsters who starred in the under 23’s last season.
Starting XI vs York City
GK – Kamil Miazek – The Polish youngster finally gets a chance to shine in the first-team and this is a player fans should keep an eye on. Recently signed a new deal with the club and much is expected of the young keeper. If he can shine in pre-season it may leave an opportunity for Baily Peacock-Farrell to head out on loan. New signing Jamal Blackman has not made the side.
Tom Pearce – I would say Pearce is going to play at left-back but in all honesty with this team it’s extremely difficult to work out who is playing where. There is only two recognised defenders on the park, so who fills what role I don’t know. Vieira or Klich perhaps at centre-back.
Laurens De Bock – I’m going to say that De Bock has to be playing as a centre-back. With Hugo Diaz on the bench and the only central defender in the whole squad it seems odd, De Bock, of himself and Pearce would be the more natural central I would say, simply because he’s more experienced and physical.
Yosuke Ideguchi – Either Klich or Vieira will be at centre-back I’m assuming and I can only think Ideguchi will be in central midfield or indeed at right-back, because that’s a vacant position as well. All this is dependant on a four at the back. It could well be a three with wing-backs.
Ronaldo Vieira – Vieira could actually captain the side tonight in all honesty. I’ve no idea what Bielsa has up his sleeve tonight but Vieira will be crucial as he’s the most experienced player in a Leeds shirt, not in his career but for Leeds specifically.
Lewis Baker – A second debut of the night and this time for new signing Lewis Baker. Of all the midfielders he is the most attacking so I would expect him to play the number ten role that Saiz and Hernandez were in on Tuesday.
Jordan Stevens – A potential right-back? Who knows. Stevens signed from Forest Green, hence why we played the friendly on Tuesday and he certainly has a big future if he can fulfil his potential. He was signed for a six-figure fee and has been featuring in the under 23’s since.
Jamie Shackleton – A winger by trade but I wouldn’t put it past Bielsa to be starting him or Jack Clarke at full-back. Until they actually take to the pitch we won’t know. A quality a tricky little player who can cause problems from wide areas, a big night for him.
Mateusz Klich – Along with Vieira his role is massive tonight. The most experienced player on the pitch, although not at Leeds and he has his chance, a chance that so many Leeds fans want to see him given properly. Such a talented player but hasn’t been given time to shine at Leeds United.
Jack Clarke – A player I have wanted to see given a chance for some time now. Talented and direct, he really is one of the young players who have been making a name for himself in the academy and if he can show some of his ability tonight he may well force Bielsa’s hand in the coming weeks.
Ryan Edmondson – Back at his old club and the one that Leeds signed him from. Edmondson is probably the best young player coming through the ranks currently and he’s a striker, the last was Alan Smith and there is very high hopes for Edmondson. I wouldn’t put it past him to bag against his former employees tonight.
