Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix spoke to the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast about Leeds' midfield: "If we play 4-3-3, it will be interesting to see who will play in that midfield. Ampadu looked good [against Villarreal] and usually plays every minute and I think Farke will want that back six to become quite fixed.
"Those other two places [are up for grabs] - Longstaff wants to play, have Stach and Tanaka got to play? Gruev has played loads this pre-season and it's looking like he is not getting sold. It will be really interesting to see who starts against Everton.
"I think something like Longstaff, Stach and Ampadu will play in the difficult games, and something like Ampadu, Stach and Tanaka or maybe even Aaaronson will play in the games that we think we might win."
Football provides 'connections' in 'increasingly lonely' worldpublished at 11:49
11:49
Nicola Pearson BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
'Why did you fall in love with your club?'
This week, we have asked hundreds of football fans across the world that very question and got hundreds of different answers.
Yes, the themes might be similar - born near a ground; family supported the team; watched a certain player - but the individual story will be unique to each supporter.
The relationship between a fan and their club should not be underestimated, with people ploughing uncountable amounts of money, time and emotional energy into their support for their team.
But what is that makes us love our clubs the way we do?
"A lot of it comes down to our identity," researcher and co-writer of the Routledge Handbook of Sport Fans and Fandom Danielle Sarver Coombs told BBC Sport.
"We become part of this group that means so much to us. It becomes a way to find a community that you're a part of and to find a group of people that, no matter where you are, you could find a pub with other fans of your team. You have that kinship.
"In a world that's increasingly quite lonely, this provides one of the ways that we can have connections so we can have the feeling that we're part of something bigger."
Connection and identity plays a big role in someone's love for their club - particularly when it is a family link.
Many fans talk of being born into who they support - that the connection is so strong there was no other team they could, or would, have chosen.
"The great thing with football is that there's such a strong heritage component to it," Sarver Coombs said. "Often, your grandfather, father, mother or whomever was a fan of the team, so it's part of your family's tradition.
"It's handed down from generation to generation."
The uniqueness of football fandom is something researchers are increasingly investigating.
An article, external published earlier this year in psychology journal Frontiers discusses how football fans often follow follow teams with 'significant attachment and commitment, sometimes to the bewilderment of those outside of the game'.
"With football clubs, you have decades of tradition that you can tap into and it's going to keep coming," Sarver Coombs added.
"Players come and go, managers come and go, shirts change, badges change, but the club itself - the heart and soul of it remains constant. You always have that piece that you're tied to, so the longevity of clubs is a really important part.
"But also, that constant in-person opportunity to be present in a community space really sets football apart from other passions that may be transient or do not have that constant engagement."
🎧 Not ready on an attacking frontpublished at 07:21
07:21
Episode 166 of our Leeds United podcast Don't Go To Bed Just Yet is available to listen to right now via the BBC Sounds app.
Leeds boss Daniel Farke said over the weekend that his side are not ready on an attacking front to compete in the Premier League, and they need more signings.
Jonny Buchan and Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix analyse the German's comments.
You can find that episode, and all our Leeds United content by searching for Leeds United on BBC Sounds and hitting the subscribe button.
'Might be in the top six... might be fighting relegation'published at 12:24 4 August
12:24 4 August
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on how Leeds' squad is shaping up after the Whites continued their pre-season preparations with a 1-1 draw against Villarreal at Elland Road.
Here are some of your comments:
Andy: A little nervous, if I'm honest. We have secured some good players but still need a different level of attacking quality and some better full-back cover.
Kumayl: Bit of a boring game but one that shows we desperately need a 10 to change the game and link the midfield with the attack, and a nine who we can rely on. I think Piroe would make a great back-up centre-forward and would be a good impact sub.
Mobbsy: I was lucky to have made the near six-hour round trip to watch the Whites under blue Yorkshire skies. It is just wonderful being back at the top table. The defence looked great even without Jayden Bogle but we missed DJ's pace. Joel looks hungry but Willy cannot give the ball away as many times as he did yesterday. The club have backed Daniel Farke and the squad is looking good but we just need a new strong number nine.
Clive: Not a bad performance but we still need that number 10 to deliver that killer pass and the forward to put it away.
Jeff: Truth is - nobody knows. We might be in the top six - we might be fighting relegation. But, at least we've learned from past mistakes as Marcelo Bielsa wasn't backed at all. Farke seems to know what he's doing. Good luck to all.
Adrian: The side is coming together but we need to take the plunge and sign Harvey Elliot and Rodrigo Muniz. If we do, I think we would have no relegation worries and would stand a chance of finishing in the top 10. We need to back Farke as Biesla never got the funds he needed.
'Hooked from the second I walked in' - fan storiespublished at 11:53 4 August
11:53 4 August
We know the relationship between a football fan and their club is a special one so, as we gear up for the new season, we asked you to share why you fell in love with Leeds and some of your favourite moments supporting them.
Here are some of your submissions:
Image caption,
John: I've been a Leeds fan for 40 years now. There is nothing quite like hearing 'Marching on Together' at a packed Elland Road. I'm blessed to be able to spend matchdays, both home and away, with my three boys. I was hooked the second I walked into the ground and I've never looked back. I've watched us through some very special times, from four promotions to a league title, and of course some horrific times. I have faith we will be a strong side in the top-flight again and I'll be there every step of the way with my boys in The Kop.
Michael: My dad was one of 15 kids from Kirkstall, so being a Leeds fan was never in doubt. I'm 70 years old now and I'm still a passionate lifelong Leeds supporter. I've got so many magical memories at Elland Road, but last season I took my 13-year-old grandson there, after he had previously shown no interest.
As we walked into a full capacity ground, he said: "Wow, where have they all come from?" and he was speechless, which is unusual, as he never stops talking. He was hooked from that day on and he now has an Elland Road sign on his bedroom door. He is a mad, passionate Leeds fan like his grandad. Bless him.
Image caption,
Anna: Like many little girls in the 1970s, I watched on as my big brother played football, followed the 'big' team and even got given the shirt. He lost interest - I didn't. I stayed a Leeds fan for life, through all the ups and the many downs. I'm pretty sure it's made me who I am, as a woman and a writer. I'm not sure I want the world to know about my teen fan fiction in this picture though!
'In the offence we are not ready for Premier League level'published at 08:04 4 August
08:04 4 August
Image source, Getty Images
Leeds boss Daniel Farke says the club needs to "add some quality" to their attacking options in order to be competitive in the Premier League.
Lukas Nmecha has been the only attacking option the Whites have brought in so far this summer, while Mateo Joseph and Patrick Bamford are set to leave and Manor Solomon - who spent last season on loan from Tottenham - has an uncertain future.
"We are not naive," Farke said after Saturday's 1-1 pre-season draw against Villarreal. "We know that even in comparison to our Championship offence you could say that we are not much improved.
"We know in the offence we are not ready for Premier League level. We've proven we can be ready for one game and for that I am not too concerned at the moment as it stands.
"I know especially with the offence, in the last bit you can add some quality. Of course as a manager you want all the players available on the first day of pre-season and to have training sessions with them because they need to adapt to the group and the principles.
"The shorter the time is to the first game the more difficult it is to integrate them and make them fully ready and up to speed.
"For that we still have time. We know we need additions to that. I also know we all together and our key people who are responsible for spending the money are trying everything to make these additions as quick as possible.
"We are two weeks away from the first game. I can't guarantee that for the first game everything is really ready and we are fully equipped.
"We definitely have to make sure that latest after the first international break we have really a competitive squad for the Premier League.
"We are not anxious but fully aware we need to do something."
Piroe prepared for 'competition' after Villarreal drawpublished at 12:12 3 August
12:12 3 August
Image source, Getty Images
Joel Piroe speaks to BBC Radio Leeds after he scored in the 1-1 friendly draw with Villarreal: "That feels really nice. It would have been a bit better if we had won the game but in the same time I think it was a good game to get ready.
"You feel it is getting better, that everyone is getting sharper. You feel the team as a whole has stepped up a bit as well.
"You want to win every game but at the same time you know it is not realistic. As a group we had to learn if you won't win, don't lose. I think that will be something really important in the season as well for us."
Leeds have been linked with the likes of Everton's Beto and Fulham's Rodrigo Muiz and on the prospect of the club buying a forward he would compete against Piroe added: "I have said before, in the Premier League at big clubs you always face competition. So if it's a new signing or someone from the academy there will always be a battle for players. You just have to influence what you can influence yourself. For me it is keep playing well and scoring goals. For me that is how I want to keep my spot. Everyone wants to be part of the group and it means they are fighting for their spot."
The 1-1 draw against Villarreal wasn't the most thrilling of games to get the Elland Road crowd enthralled ahead of the slog of the Premier League.
There were four home debuts for the thirty five thousand plus in attendance to keep an eye on from the start with full-back Gabriel Gudmundsson, midfielders Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff, and forward Lukas Nmecha all selected by Daniel Farke.
Stach and Longstaff offered glimmers of quality, with the Swedish defender Gudmundsson proving he will be an attacking option over the next 10 months.
Birthday boy Joel Piroe scored the whites only goal, and when reporters spoke to last season's Championship golden boot winner afterwards he explained he is more than happy to fight for his place in the side with likely competition arriving in the coming weeks.
There were some notable absentees from the matchday squad, which at this time of year always causes a ripple of concern through the Elland Road stands.
Dan James and Jayden Bogle were the most concerning but Farke confirmed injuries to both.
Injury for new goalkeeper Lucas Perri meant he missed out and the same was said for winger Jack Harrison, who only a fortnight ago was challenged by the boss to win the fans' trust back.
With just over a fortnight to go until Everton come to West Yorkshire it is fair to say attacking reinforcements are vitally needed, with Farke stating as much.
That is also shown by the fact that almost the biggest roar of the day was of course for 16-year-old Harry Gray. He will be hoping to have some Premier League involvement next season, maybe even against his brother when Leeds face Spurs in just over two months' time.
Muniz makes most of limited opportunities - so could he move?published at 14:01 31 July
14:01 31 July
Tom McCoy BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty Images
Newcastle are the latest club linked with Fulham striker Rodrigo Muniz, who is also being linked with Leeds and Atalanta. The 24-year-old has struggled to nail down a starting spot at Craven Cottage, often playing second fiddle to Raul Jimenez over the past two seasons.
But he has attracted attention from potential suitors by making the most of limited opportunities. The Brazilian opened his Premier League account in a 2-2 draw at Burnley in February 2024, the first of 17 top-flight goals in the space of 16 months.
During this time he averages a goal every 128 minutes, the sixth best record in the competition. The only players to post better figures are Alexander Isak, Erling Haaland and Mohamed Salah – arguably the league's three best forwards – plus Jhon Duran and Richarlison, both of whom mainly profited as impact substitutes.
Muniz has proved himself a clinical finisher over this period, outperforming his expected goals tally by 3.46, while also excelling in the air. Though hardly a giant at 6ft 1in, he has won an average of five aerial duels per 90 minutes since February 2024, the fourth best record of any players to appear regularly in the top flight.
Leeds have repeatedly targeted tall players this summer and Muniz's physicality could be a real asset to the newly promoted side. Winning a starting role at Newcastle or Atalanta may prove more challenging, but those clubs could offer the enticing prospect of Champions League football.
However, Fulham have yet to sign an outfield player this summer and they may be reluctant to let Muniz move on without first having a replacement lined up.
'Monumental errors' outweigh Meslier positivitypublished at 16:37 30 July
16:37 30 July
Jonathan Buchan BBC Radio Leeds Sports Editor
Image source, Getty Images
Goalkeeper Lucas Perri is the latest addition to Leeds United's defensive ranks and joins a pretty full-looking goalkeeping department.
Which means one thing. Someone will leave.
The new man comes expecting to be first choice and with some billing. Back in February, his coach at Lyon, Paulo Fonseca, called the Brazilian 'the strongest goalkeeper in the world' after an impressive display against Marseille.
At one stage, some might have felt that tag could, down the line, have been used for Illan Meslier. However he now looks the most obvious option to depart.
Sadly, for the Frenchman statistics such as becoming the youngest ever goalkeeper to keep 10 Premier League clean sheets, have been outweighed by numerous monumental errors over the past 12 months.
Regular listeners to our podcast 'Don't Go To Bed Just Yet' will know I have long defended the 25-year-old.
However, on episode 135 even my faith began to wobble following his display in the 3-3 draw at Hull. Daniel Farke's support, at that time, remained steadfast as it would be over two months before further errors against Swansea saw Karl Darlow given the nod at Kenilworth Road.
The Welshman performed well when called upon, but he will surely now find himself back in the unique supporting role of a back-up stopper.
Alex Cairns is the fourth currently on the books and, like Darlow is classed as a homegrown player. Add to that him being a local lad who isn't expecting to play and you have an ideal third choice.
If Meslier is the one to seek pastures new I would add just one thing…a hefty sell-on clause…just in case!
Leeds doing 'really good business' but gaps 'obvious'published at 12:43 30 July
12:43 30 July
Image source, Getty Images
Simon Rix of the Kaiser Chiefs spoke about Leeds summer recruitment on the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast.
He reckons there are still a number of areas to address with a month of the window left: "So far, the business seems really good but it feels obvious where the gaps are. We - and the club - know where they are.
"I think the most worrying area is cover for full-back. If either [Jayden] Bogle or [Gabriel] Gudmundsson get injured, it is Sam Byram in both places, which is a bit of a worry. Having someone else in that area, which is difficult to recruit for as a back-up, is something we need to happen.
"We were sceptical about this being an inexperienced team attempting arguably the most difficult job in football. They seem to be landing the targets but not spending loads of money."
Gossip: Leeds miss out on Paixaopublished at 08:06 29 July
08:06 29 July
Leeds have missed out on Igor Paixao, 25, despite lodging an improved second bid with Feyenoord as the Brazilian winger looks set to join Marseille. (Fabrizio Romano, external)
Perri 'worth points by himself' - but maybe 'not at Meslier's expense'published at 12:16 27 July
12:16 27 July
Image source, Getty Images
We asked for your views on whether Leeds United's latest summer addition Lucas Perri is an upgrade on Illan Meslier and whether he will be able to step up as Daniel Farke's number one this season.
Here are some of your replies:
Law: Fantastic news! I've stood by Meslier through thick and thin, as he has always had potential, but unfortunately something had to change. From what I've seen, Perri seems a fantastic new signing. Hopefully he can push on for us and then challenge for the Brazil number one shirt.
Stephen: Class is permanent, form is temporary. While nobody will argue against the fact that Meslier lost form last season, he remains a talented goalkeeper with close to 100 Premier League games under his belt and over 200 games for Leeds. To let someone of that pedigree go relatively cheaply is likely to bite us back in the future, particularly if he moves to an English rival. I'm sure that Perri will be a welcome addition to the squad, however I'm not so sure that this should be at the expense of Meslier.
Danny: Outstanding signing. He is worth points by himself with the performances I've seen. Go all out now and sign the two fellow Brazilians that we're in for.
Simon: He looks like another decent signing. 6ft 5in but broader than Meslier. I just hope he is a box dominator because that has been Meslier's major area of weakness.
Andy: I would actually keep Meslier. Perri might be the challenge he needs to drive himself back to his best, but he is also a better second choice goalkeeper than Karl Darlow, who will keep Perri on his toes.
Gary: Brilliant signing. I just hope he is allowed to distribute the ball like he does in the videos I've seen. It will stop putting our defenders under pressure and get us on the attack faster. We just need a striker and that is us ready for the new season. Well done to the board for backing the manager and keeping their word.
What Leeds are getting with Perripublished at 11:45 27 July
11:45 27 July
Sophie Brown BBC Sport journalist
A new goalkeeper was high on the transfer wishlist for Leeds United, and now 6ft 5in Lucas Perri has been brought in from Lyon as as their seventh summer signing.
Frenchman Illan Meslier has been Leeds' first-choice keeper for the past five seasons, but his tenure in goal has been marked by a string of high-profile errors.
He was dropped by Sam Allardyce at the end of their most recent Premier League campaign in 2023, and also lost his place to Karl Darlow for the final seven matches of last season.
Perri played in his native Brazil until joining Lyon in January 2024, although he did have a brief loan spell with Crystal Palace in 2019 (but didn't make an appearance).
The 27-year-old kept 10 clean sheets in Ligue 1 last season and should bring some defensive confidence to the Leeds defence. He is famed for his lengthy throws but can also play the ball out with his feet, with his passing accuracy 6% better than Meslier's.
'A dream come true' - Perri signs for Leedspublished at 19:46 26 July
19:46 26 July
Image source, Getty Images
Leeds United's newest signing Lucas Perri says he feels "amazing" after completing a move from Ligue 1 side Lyon to the newly-promoted Premier League club.
The 27-year-old goalkeeper has penned a four-year contract with the Whites, becoming manager Daniel Farke's seventh summer addition.
Perri was a regular at Lyon last season, making 45 appearances in all competitions and keeping 13 clean sheets as the French side secured Europa League football for 2025-26.
"It is a great thing to be here," Perri told LUTV, external. "I feel amazing. It is incredible. It is a dream come true.
"When I first heard that the interest could be something serious and actually happen, I started to look for videos of the stadium, the atmosphere, the games and the highlights of the matches.
"It was a really exciting moment for me. I was really glad that the club showed interest. I am very happy to sign here.
"I think it is a great challenge for me - a great opportunity. I am really happy and focused to be my best version here.
"One of the most important things as a goalkeeper is to transmit a sense of trust and security. The calmness that the players, the fans, the staff need - everybody [should be able to] look at me in goal and feel safe, feel calm."
Gossip: £15.6m Perri set for Leeds medicalpublished at 07:20 25 July
07:20 25 July
Leeds United have agreed a deal with Lyon for goalkeeper Lucas Perri worth £15.6m, with the 27-year-old Brazilian expected to have a medical at the Whites' pre-season training camp in Germany. (Mail), external
Image source, Getty Images
