Guardian writers’ predicted position: 12th (NB: this is not necessarily Louise Taylor’s prediction but the average of our writers’ tips) Pretty bright. A team’s second season in the Premier League following promotion is traditionally regarded as hazardous but all the indications are that Daniel Farke’s side will not merely harbour a high degree of immunity to this syndrome but could debunk it as a lazy cliche. The spine of the side looks extremely robust and has been reinforced by the club record £40m signing of James Trafford from Manchester City and the £34m acquisition of the Bosnia and Herzegovina centre-half Tarik Muharemovic from Sassuolo.
Much hinges on Dominic Calvert-Lewin remaining fit. At times last season, Farke’s centre-forward proved unplayable as Leeds finished a respectable 14th. This time round Calvert-Lewin and his fellow forwards should benefit from assists provided by the talented Harry Wilson, a free transfer recruit from Fulham.
Significantly, survival was achieved last spring after an unconvincing start to the campaign that, by November, had placed Farke’s job in jeopardy. After a switch to a, broadly, 3-5-2 formation the team improved, radically. Indeed, were there a separate Premier League table for the second half of the season, Leeds’ form from the start of December would have left them seventh.
Pre-season results can be notoriously misleading but it is worth noting that Leeds have impressed against some strong opposition. While the manager aims to take Leeds to “a new level” such ambition is tempered by sensible caution. The second year after promotion can be difficult and dangerous but we are hopeful we can have a good season.” The dated, if hugely atmospheric, Elland Road is undergoing a wholesale redevelopment in a project instigated by the club’s owners, 49ers Enterprises, the investment arm of the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers.
One of the ideas behind this much-needed stadium modernisation – involving an increase in capacity from 37,792 to 53,000 – is to help increase commercial revenue streams and, in turn, be less restricted by football’s spending rules. Another priority is reducing the lengthy season ticket waiting list. Elland Road should remain fully operational on match days as work progresses on a design intended to be the centrepiece of a wider local regeneration.
The only frustration is that city council plans for a new tram network have once again been heavily delayed. With public transport infrastructure poor in a part of Leeds notorious for serious traffic congestion that could prove a big problem on match days at an expanded arena. Leeds have had some unpredictable owners in recent years so the sense of stability, professionalism and vision introduced by the California-based 49ers Enterprises has been welcome.
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