Leeds may well have shipped out nine players so far this summer, but we have also welcomed back nine from various loans moves. Let’s take a look at who returned and if they can play a role this upcoming season:
Charlie Creswell, 20
Academy graduate and local boy Creswell spent last season on loan at Millwall, making 28 appearances and scoring 4 goals. Cresswell put in some impressive showings at The Den for a Millwall side that finished just outside the play offs. He is still developing as a footballer but has shown enough to suggest he will be in the mix at centre half for Leeds this season.
Ian Poveda , 23
Poveda spent the last two seasons on loan at both Blackburn Rovers and Blackpool respectively. While his time at Ewood Park would be hampered with injury, his spell for Blackpool proved to be more successful. He made 26 appearance over the 22/33 Championship season, scoring 3 goals. To some extent he is a forgotten man at Elland Road but has always been a player with huge ability. He has featured strongly for Leeds in pre season, scoring from outside the box against Nottingham Forrest this week. Could he help solve our issues with creativity in the final third this season? Time will tell.
Holder Costa
Costa is another player many Leeds fans would have been surprised to see back at Thorp Arch this summer. He has spent the last two seasons away from the club, firstly at Valencia and more recently in the Saudi pro league with Al-Ittihad. He made a total of 40 appearances across the two seasons scoring three goals. It is hard to imagine Costa will still be at the club come the end of the transfer window, with a move back to the Middle East more likely.
Jamie Shackleton, 23
Another local boy who spent the 22/23 season on loan at Millwall in the Championship. He made a total of 36 appearances for the lions, however many of these were from the bench. He struggled to hold down a starting berth at the Den and it will be difficult for him do so at Elland Road this season as well. He is a player who is a victim of his versatility and has had a career that has not yet been fully set alight. Should the right offer come in the club may well chose to move him on.
Joseph Gelhardt, 21
Gelhardt spent the second half of the 22/33 season on loan at Sunderland having made the switch to the stadium of light in January. Gelhardt made 20 appearances for the black cats, scoring three goals. An injury to Sunderland’s Ross Stewart meant that Gelhardt was given a regular starting berth. This spell of consistent playing time will have benefitted him and there is still an expectation that he will produce for Leeds. Likely to be involved this season, let’s hope he can start finding the back of the net.
Dan James, 25
Welsh international James spent the 22/23 season on loan at premier league surprise package Fulham, making 20 appearances across the season, scoring 2 goals. James is a player who’s work rate and commitment can rarely be questioned, however it’s his ability to consistently effect games that can leave fans wanting more. There is no doubt he will be an asset in the Championship and should feature significantly.
Cody Drameh, 21
London born Drameh spent the last two seasons on loan in the championship. He made 22 appearances in the 21/22 season with Cardiff and made 16 last season with promoted Luton Town. Drameh received high praise for both spells and was wanted this summer by Luton. He is a player many fans would like to see start at right back and given his form in the Championship over the last two years, you would expect him to be in contention for a place in the starting 11 come August 6th.
Lewis Bate, 20
Bate spent the 22/23 season on loan at League one side Oxford United, turning in 28 appearances, scoring once. His time at Elland Road looked to be over, but with the club now down a division, he may well be kept around. He had a strong showing in the pre season game against Manchester United, showing his ability on the ball and in the final third. Could be a useful squad player for Leeds this season.
Leo Hjelde, 19
Hjelde spent the second half of the 22/23 season on loan at fellow Yorkshire outfit Rotherham United, joining in January. He made 13 appearance before returning to Leeds this summer. A player who is comfortable at centre half or left back and one fans would like to see play more. Whether he is a starter or back up this season, you would expect him to remain at the club.
