Leeds United 2022/23 season preview: How to watch, summer transfers & league prediction
By Tom Gott
For the first time since 2018/19, Leeds will start a new season without the guidance of Marcelo Bielsa. These days, it's Jesse Marsch calling the shots at Elland Road.
The American managed to lead Leeds away from the relegation zone last season and, after some major upheaval in the transfer market, now has the task of leading an assault on the top half of the Premier League table.
There are a lot of unknowns about Leeds heading into this new campaign, but here's a look at what you can expect.
How to watch Leeds on TV
- Leeds fixtures & results: 2022/23 season
- Premier League fixtures & results: 2022/23 season
- How to watch Premier League fixtures on TV
Leeds summer transfers
The biggest news at Elland Road this summer has concerned outgoings. Raphinha and Kalvin Phillips both departed in lucrative deals to Barcelona and Man City respectively, leaving Leeds without the two players who many fans would have described as their top duo.
Those in charge haven't been afraid to reinvest that money, however, with fascinating moves for Brenden Aaronson, Tyler Adams and Luis Sinisterra headlining what promises to be an intriguing rebuild.
Ins:
- Brenden Aaronson (undisclosed, from Red Bull Salzburg)
- Rasmus Kristensen (£10m, from Red Bull Salzburg)
- Marc Roca (£12m, from Bayern Munich)
- Darko Gyabi (£5m, from Manchester City)
- Tyler Adams (£20m, from RB Leipzig)
- Luis Sinisterra (£22m, from Feyenoord)
- Sonny Perkins (free, from West Ham)
Outs
- Noah Kenneh (free, to Hibernian)
- Laurens De Bock (free, to Zulte Waragem)
- Josh Galloway (free, to Annan Athletic)
- Alfie Hughes (released)
- Bobby Kamwa (released)
- Lui Bradbury (released)
- Joe Littlewood (released)
- Mitchell Picksley (released)
- Ryan Edmondson (undisclosed, to Carlisle)
- Liam McCarron (undisclosed, to Stoke)
- Kalvin Phillips (£42m, to Manchester City)
- Charlie Cresswell (loan, to Millwall)
- Tyler Roberts (loan, to QPR)
- Raphinha (£60m, to Barcelona)
- Jamie Shackleton (loan, to Millwall)
- Leif Davis (undisclosed, to Ipswich)
Leeds squad numbers 2022/23
Numbers subject to change before end of transfer window
1) Illan Meslier
2) Luke Ayling
3) Junior Firpo
4) Adam Forshaw
5) Robin Koch
6) Liam Cooper
7) Brenden Aaronson
8) Marc Roca
9) Patrick Bamford
11) Jack Harrison
12) Tyler Adams
13) Kristoffer Klaesson
14) Diego Llorente
15) Stuart Dallas
16) Sonny Perkins
17) Helder Costa
18) Darko Gyabi
19) Rodrigo
20) Daniel James
21) Pascal Struijk
23) Luis Sinisterra
25) Rasums Kristensen
30) Joe Gelhardt
33) Leo Fuhr Hjelde
37) Cody Drameh
38) Crysencio Summerville
42) Sam Greenwood
43) Mateusz Klich
44) Mateusz Bogusz
Leeds key players 2022/23
Star player
With Phillips and Raphinha gone, you can't help but feel like Leeds are going to need a full team effort to get by this year. That being said, a return to form (and fitness) for striker Patrick Bamford would be a very welcome gift.
After 17 goals and eight assists in 2020/21, Bamford was restricted to just two goals in nine games last year. It's no wonder Leeds struggled, and if he can't shake these issues off, then look to winger Jack Harrison to try and shoulder the majority of the load.
One to watch
It's all about the new signings this year. Sinisterra is intriguing and Adams is thoroughly exciting, but the one that gets the mouth watering more than most is 21-year-old American Brenden Aaronson, who has been on the cusp of a major break-out for a good few years now.
The consensus at both Salzburg and the United States national team is that Aaronson is destined for superstardom, and while it may take him a little while to find his feet in the Premier League, the sky really is the limit for the attacking midfielder.
Leeds kits 2022/23
Home kit
#LUFC and @adidasfootball are proud to reveal the new and eagerly anticipated home kit, ahead of the 2022/23 Premier League season!
— Leeds United (@LUFC) July 13, 2022
Leeds Premier League prediction
Having lost both Raphinha and Phillips, Leeds are putting a lot of faith in their new signings to revert last year's slide down the Premier League table.
Does their squad look stronger this season than it did last year? It's a complete unknown at the minute. How the new faces will adjust is anyone's guess, but chances are it'll take a little longer than this Leeds side can realistically afford to give.
Marsch's side should survive, aided by the fact there are a handful of weaker sides facing similar struggles, and they should hopefully be able to use this year as a springboard for further success in 2023/24.