'Hope is in Leeds' defence - the fear is their forward line'

Leeds United return to the Premier League following two years in the Championship and German manager Daniel Farke is rebuilding his squad for the third time in successive summers.

After a loan exodus following relegation and then the departure of some of their best players last summer, Leeds are now recruiting for the scrap against the elite of English football.

During their last stint in the top flight they leaked 157 goals across two seasons so have to be much more defensively solid this time around.

In order to do this, their recruitment has focused heavily on defence and midfield.

Leeds have secured players who excel at interceptions and tackles, but who are also tall and love an aerial duel.

Daniel Farke has also changed formation from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3, switching out an attacking number 10, in favour of two roaming number eights.

Defensive upgrades have also been made by bringing in goalkeeper Lucas Perri and left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson.

So the hope for this season is that United have done enough with their tactical change and in recruitment to be very difficult to beat.

But if the hope is in Leeds' defence, the fear is in their forward line.

Lukas Nmecha - who joined on a free transfer - is the only addition so far, but with Patrick Bamford being surplus to requirements and Mateo Joseph leaving on loan, Farke has fewer options up front.

And while Jack Harrison has returned to the club after a second successive loan at Everton, he is no replacement for Manor Solomon who nearly single-handedly won the league last season with his vital contributions in the Championship run-in.

Farke has admitted Leeds need offensive additions before they can compete and win matches - and the Whites hope to have bolstered the forward line with reinforcements by the first international break.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock

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