Leeds United, after their sixth managerial casualty since April 2014, brought in Garry Monk as their new manager. Owner Massimo Cellino believes that Monk is the one who could catalyse Leeds’ progress to a team capable of challenging for promotion to the Premier League. However, Monk’s fate could be the same just like the managers he succeeded if he cannot deliver. The former Swansea manager will give everything to bring the Whites back to Premier League as he himself has a reputation to revive after being sacked by Swansea last season.
Leeds United have not even come close to a playoff spot in recent times let alone the prospect of direct promotion. Monk has started his summer work quite early at the Elland Road but there is still work to be done. In this article, we will be looking at three players who would be key for the Whites next season.
Matt Grimes
The 21-year-old midfielder made his move to Leeds on loan from Swansea this summer to reunite with Garry Monk. With the departure of Lewis Cook who put an end to his Leeds career opting for a switch to Bournemouth, an elephantic void has been created in the middle of the park and Grimes is likely to fill in that void. The English under-21 international is a versatile midfielder who can play as a number eight, number ten or on either flank. The 21-year-old has a brief Championship experience to his resume with Blackburn where he spent the second half of the last season. Grimes is expected to play a key role for the Whites next season in the middle of the park.
Sol Bamba
Garry Monk himself was a central defender and the tactics he implies needs solid players at the back. Monk played a possession based composed game at Swansea and for that, he needs defenders who can play their way out of the defence.
Bamba, the skipper of the Whites, will have a key role to play next season not only with his display but also organising the back four. The Ivorian international had an inconsistent last season but cannot afford the same this time or else his position could well be in jeopardy.
Chris Wood
The 24-year-old had a dismal last season last time out at Elland Road. The New Zealand international scored just 13 goals in all competitions last season from 37 games which is far from good enough. Leeds need much better displays from the former Leicester City striker in the coming season in order to come even close to a playoff spot. Wood has to step up and show what he is capable of.
This article was written by Craig Kester.
