Premier League survival gives Leeds United a platform to build from, but significant recruitment will still be needed if the club wants to avoid another relegation battle next season.
Leeds United returning to the Premier League always felt like the first step rather than the finished product.
The mood around Elland Road is far healthier than it was 12 months ago. Under Daniel Farke, Leeds have rebuilt a connection with supporters, rediscovered stability and, most importantly, secured their place back among English football’s elite. But survival this season should not disguise the reality that this squad still needs major improvement if the club wants to establish itself properly at Premier League level.
The gap between surviving and progressing in the modern Premier League is enormous. Clubs that stand still often get dragged backwards quickly, and Leeds cannot afford to approach this summer with the mentality that simply staying up means the squad is complete.
Several players have enhanced their reputations during the campaign, but there are still obvious areas where recruitment is needed if Leeds are serious about building towards a stable top-flight future rather than another season spent anxiously looking over their shoulder.
Goalkeeper
This still feels like the biggest unresolved area in the squad.
Karl Darlow has had moments where he has performed admirably, particularly during Leeds’ stronger defensive run towards the end of the season, but there remains a feeling that Leeds lack a truly commanding Premier League-level goalkeeper capable of consistently winning points on his own.
Modern Premier League sides increasingly rely on goalkeepers not only to make saves, but to dominate their box, distribute confidently under pressure and provide calmness to the defensive structure. Leeds have improved defensively in recent months, especially within the back-three system, but there are still moments where uncertainty from the goalkeeper position creates unnecessary pressure.
If Leeds genuinely want to progress next season rather than simply survive, signing a long-term number one should be a major priority.
Centre-back depth
The switch to a back three transformed Leeds’ season, but it also highlighted how dependent the side became on a relatively small group of defenders staying fit.
Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Jaka Bijol have all had strong moments, while the system itself has helped provide more defensive protection overall. However, Premier League seasons are relentless, and Leeds cannot realistically expect to navigate another campaign relying on the same core options every week.
If Farke continues with a back three next season, another centre-back feels essential, particularly one comfortable defending large spaces and capable of progressing the ball effectively. Injuries, suspensions and fixture congestion quickly expose squads lacking depth, and Leeds learned during their previous Premier League stay how damaging defensive instability can become.
The club also needs greater competition within that area of the pitch. Strong Premier League squads are built on depth, not just strong starting elevens.
Attacking midfielder
Although Leeds have improved structurally, there are still times where the team lacks creativity between the lines, particularly against deeper defensive blocks at Elland Road.
Brenden Aaronson has produced important moments this season and has arguably looked more effective within Leeds’ tactical changes, but there remains a sense that Leeds could benefit from another technically gifted attacking midfielder capable of slowing games down, controlling possession and creating chances consistently.
Too often during difficult home games this season, Leeds have looked dangerous in transition but less convincing when forced to dominate the ball for long periods. The Premier League becomes increasingly difficult for sides who rely purely on intensity and directness.
Recruiting another creative midfielder would not only improve chance creation, but also give Leeds greater tactical flexibility depending on opposition and game state.
Striker competition
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s resurgence has been one of the biggest positives of Leeds’ season.
His goals, physical presence and overall link-up play have transformed the attack during key moments of the campaign, particularly within the two-striker system that Farke has increasingly leaned towards. However, Leeds cannot afford to enter another Premier League season relying too heavily on one forward staying fit and maintaining form across an entire year.
Injuries remain a concern given Calvert-Lewin’s history, while modern Premier League squads increasingly require multiple attacking profiles to adapt tactically across different matches.
Lukas Nmecha has shown flashes, but another striker capable of either competing with or complementing Calvert-Lewin would give Leeds significantly more attacking depth. Whether that means a younger forward with long-term potential or a more experienced option capable of immediate impact, Leeds need greater security in that department.
Goals remain the hardest currency in football, particularly for clubs outside the traditional top six.
Wing-back and full-back depth
The tactical shift towards a back three placed enormous responsibility on Leeds’ wing-backs, and while the system has largely worked, it also exposed how physically demanding those roles are across a full Premier League season.
Jayden Bogle and Gabriel Gudmundsson have both had impressive spells, but Leeds still need more depth and variation in wide areas. Injuries or dips in form could quickly become problematic within a system so heavily reliant on width and energy from those positions.
If Farke sticks with the back-three structure moving forward, recruitment here becomes even more important. Leeds need players capable of contributing defensively while also offering quality in the final third - something easier said than done in the modern transfer market.
The reality is that this summer could define whether Leeds merely survive in the Premier League or genuinely establish themselves again.
The foundations are stronger now than they were during the club’s previous top-flight spell. There is more stability around the ownership, greater tactical clarity within the squad and a stronger sense of direction throughout the football club. But Premier League football punishes complacency brutally, particularly for clubs attempting to rebuild themselves after relegation.
Leeds have momentum again.
Now comes the difficult part: turning survival into sustainability.