The new Raphinha joins: Leeds' dream XI once the transfer window closes
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Published Aug 20, 2026, 7:10 AM GMT+1
Ethan is a feature and opinion journalist at Football FanCast, specialising in analytical football writing, Premier League coverage and in-depth features across the English game.
A graduate of the University of Derby's Football Journalism course, Ethan began developing his football media experience through roles including media assistant at non-league side Mickleover Sports and EFL reporter for VAVEL. After graduating in 2023, he spent six months as a Premier League journalist at GRV Media before joining Football FanCast in February 2024.
Ethan's work focuses on analysis-led features, opinion and player and club assessment, examining the tactical, statistical and wider footballing context behind the biggest stories. He covers a broad range of clubs, including Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United, Leeds United and sides across the Midlands, with particular expertise in Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa.
As a Nottingham Forest season-ticket holder and lifelong supporter, Ethan also brings first-hand knowledge of the club and its supporters to his coverage, complementing his broader understanding of the Premier League and English football.
Through his features and analysis, Ethan aims to give readers more than a reaction to the latest football story, providing considered opinions, tactical insight and detailed analysis that explains the significance behind performances, players and developments across the game.
The new Premier League campaign is now just around the corner, and the 2026/27 season will no doubt provide excitement, disappointment and a whole lot in between.
Leeds United will enter the year full of confidence after fending off relegation last season, with Daniel Farke hoping to take the club to the next level within the coming months.
The 49ers too have placed huge faith in the German manager to once again kick on and make the Whites an established outfit within England’s top-flight.
However, with just a handful of weeks left in the transfer window, the hierarchy only have a small period to make the desired additions to help improve the senior squad.
The defence
REUTERS/Peter Cziborra
Leeds’ ambitions in the transfer market have been evident over recent months, as they finally completed the £45m club-record deal to sign James Trafford from Manchester City.
The 23-year-old has been a long-standing transfer target for the Whites and the future England number one will undoubtedly be Farke’s starting shot-stopper for the foreseeable future.
However, Leeds haven’t had everything their own way this summer, after Pascal Struijk was sold to Brighton & Hove Albion after entering the final year of his deal in Yorkshire.
The £20m recouped for his signature was certainly put to good use in the market, as Tarik Muharemovic was signed from Italian side Sassuolo for a reported £34m.
The Bosnian has already made an immediate impact with supporters, after scoring a bicycle kick during the final pre-season clash with German outfit FC Augsburg.
He will likely partner fellow centre-backs Joe Rodon and Jaka Bijol, who formed an excellent partnership at the back after Farke’s decision to switch to a back three.
The midfield & wing-backs
Farke’s decision to move to a three-back system with wing-backs has placed huge importance of the two wide players to provide the goods at both ends of the pitch.
Such a system has certainly benefitted Jayden Bogle in recent months, with the Englishman’s energy and quality in forward areas now able to be reflected.
He ended last season on three combined goals and assists, with the 26-year-old hoping to maintain his starting role alongside last summer's addition, Gabriel Gudmundsson.
The Swedish international remains an injury doubt for the first game of the season, but the £10m man will undoubtedly be the manager’s starting left wing-back for the 2026/27 campaign.
The central midfield two within Farke’s system has become extremely settled and one which looks unbreakable - especially if the Whites are to be successful in the near future.
Captain Ethan Ampadu and German star Anton Stach have formed an excellent partnership at the heart of the side, with their skillsets complementing each other’s games perfectly.
Anton Stach - PL stats (2025/26)
Statistics (per 90)
Tally
Games played
29
Goals & assists
8
Shots taken
2.1
Aerials won
62%
Defensive contributions
10.1
Chances created
2.4
Duels won
5.9
Tackles made
2.5
The Welshman often sits in front of the backline and disrupts the opposition’s flow, whilst the former Hoffenheim star is able to operate in more attacking areas and cause carnage.
The forward line
Farke’s three-man attacking system has often seen two options feature behind the centre-forward and in a narrow role to allow the wing-backs to overlap in the final third.
Brenden Aaronson largely featured in one of these roles last season, but if the club are to reach the next level this term - it’s vital the American is not a regular starter.
Harry Wilson arrived on a free transfer from Fulham earlier this summer, with his experience in England’s top-flight vital to the club making the jump into a top half outfit.
The Welsh star netted 10 goals for the Cottagers last term, with Farke and the Leeds faithful will be hoping that he can emulate or better such form this term.
He could be joined by transfer target Igor Paixao throughout the 2026/27 campaign, as the Brazilian has once again emerged on the hierarchy’s radar over recent weeks.
Natural comparisons will be made to another Brazilian in the form of Raphinha due to his play style, making it unsurprising that the Whites have made the 26-year-old one of their key attacking targets for the remainder of the window. They will, however, have to pay a £35m asking price for his signature.
It’s unclear if the player himself would be open to a move to Elland Road, but that’s not to say the 49ers won’t make a serious push to secure his signature in the weeks ahead.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin will undoubtedly join the aforementioned duo within the final third, after he netted 14 goals during his debut campaign in Yorkshire.
The Englishman was seen as a wildcard addition 12 months ago, but it’s safe to his form from last campaign has made him one of the first names of Farke’s teamsheet.
6 days ago
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