When picking a team of the 21st century for Leeds United you have to remember that at the turn of the century Leeds were representing England in the Champions League semi finals.

Is this the BEST Leeds XI of the 21st century?

I've decided instead not to focus just on sheer quality but also the passion for the club.

FLW reporter Ryan Ingham guides us through what he thinks is the BEST Leeds United XI of the 21st century.... DO you agree?

PRESS NEXT PAGE BELOW TO SEE THE LEEDS UNITED XI

Paul Robinson

In goal we have Paul Robinson. It's hard not to pick the former youth prospect who successfully took over from Leeds legend Nigel Martyn.

Robinson is a Leeds United club legend

Once scoring a memorable equaliser against Swindon in the League Cup the Blackburn keeper will always be loved by the Leeds faithful for his six years at the club.

His departure to Tottenham in our relegation season was heartbreaking for the Leeds United fans.

Gary Kelly

At right-back we have Leeds through and through Gary Kelly.

The one club man is a hero at Leeds United and has to be praised for his consistent performances for the Elland Road club.

Gary Kelly was an easy selection

 

With over 500 appearances for Leeds until 2007 the player stuck with Leeds through relegation and played on for years to come.

Once heralded in one of the back four rated as one of the strongest in Europe, Kelly's love for the club and talent that he had made it easy to pick.

Lucas Radebe

Our first centre back is no other than the chief.

A legacy at Leeds United, Lucas Radebe is more than just a hero. Initially signed to keep new signing Phil Masinga, Radebe would become the more important player for Leeds United with over 200 appearances for the club.

Radebe excelled at Leeds United

His career for Leeds lasted longer than 10 years, an injury kept the player out for nearly two of them but he's still a hero to us.

Once called a "hero" by Nelson Mandela, he's now remembered at Elland Road by a prowling Cat around the stadium.

Rio Ferdinand

Partnering the chief is Rio Ferdinand. He may have left Leeds for Manchester United over the Pennines but in his two years for the club he was a frequent high-level performer for the side.

Ferdinand makes the cut

 

Ferdinand always pitched in with a goal and a clean sheet, and the England International has always been a good defender until his later years.

Ferdinand has gone on to become a club stalwart at Manchester United, and he simply must be in the best Leeds United XI of the 21st century.

Ian Harte

At left back is another Irish international in Ian Harte.

He was a free kick specialist and performed very well in the Champions League before leaving for Spanish side Levante.

Harte's set piece ability was key

 

Harte still gets a good reception when he returns to Leeds with current side Bournemouth and will always be loved by fans at LS11.

The defender is an essential component of the best Leeds United XI, with his set piece ability a pivotal part of the squad.

Aaron Lennon

The right midfield position goes to Aaron Lennon who didn't feature as much for Leeds as he should have done.

The Spurs midfielder who is currently on loan at Everton, only made 38 appearances for the Yorkshire club before being flogged to Spurs for £1 million back in 2003.

Lennon would be welcomed back by Leeds United fans

 

Lennon was the youngest player to have his boots sponsored at the age of 14 by Nike.

Leeds United supporters would undoubtedly welcome the return of Lennon, with Neil Redfearn's side in desperate need of adding to the wide midfield area.

Jonny Howson

In midfield we first have Jonny Howson.

When Howson was sold by Ken Bates I was truly heartbroken. Our captain at the time resembles everything good and bad about Leeds United.

Howson is in good form for Norwich City at the moment

The good side is the proof that Leeds United can bring through genuine quality through their ranks that can be more than capable of reaching the top division.

The bad side is that when the players start performing, certain owners eyes glow up with the money can they make and the player is on the next megabus to a new, brighter beginning.

Remembered mostly for his screamer that set the scene for a promotion winning game at Bristol Rovers, Howson will always be one of my favourites in my era to put on the White shirt.

James Milner

His partner was hard to pick, but I settled for a player that deserved to be mentioned in the list and is another great academy product.

James Milner has always been a fantastic player and it has took too long for people to notice.

milner

 

He's in the centre on midfield because that's where he's more dangerous. Strong on the ball and a cunning technique, Milner played for Leeds from 2002 till 2004 before being sold for £3.6 million.

After the move Milner admitted that he didn't want to leave the club he loved and only moved because "it was in their best interests". We weren't best pleased either James.

Max Gradel

At left midfield I should put Harry Kewell but I have more sense than that.

I've picked Max Gradel because of the rejuvenation he gave the side when he first came on loan and consequently carried on his star performances.

Gradel impressed considerably during his time at Leeds

 

The Ivorian winger may not have been here in our good times but he kept us going in our bad days.

His sheer pace and good ball control, coupled with his eye for goal was well worth a mention and he finished at Leeds with 22 goals in 63 appearances, not bad for a winger! He's currently at Saint Etienne and is their star player right now.

Mark Viduka

To start off the strikers it's hard to decide.

I've gone for the pie eater himself Mark Viduka. 130 appearances and 59 goals in over four years at the club definitely makes you worthy of an appearance on this list.

Viduka is a Leeds club legend

Remember for four goals at Anfield and a lot of laughs, Viduka was a very underrated striker at the club.

He's closely followed by one of my favourites Robbie Keane but I can only pick two.

Jermaine Beckford

Keane may have missed out but Jermaine Beckford didn't!

It doesn't matter what shirt he's wearing, Bruv. Beckford didn't start well but he did finish well! He finished extremely well in the aforementioned game at Bristol Rovers to gain us promotion shortly before leaving for Premier League football with an unsuccessful term at Everton.

Beckford was a leading forward for the Yorkshire club

The striker scored a fantastic 72 goals in 126 games for the club and is still Leeds all over. He upset Bolton fans this season after gesturing the Leeds salute after hearing the fans singing his name.

I'd still have Beckford at the club now, his eye for a goal and ability to hold up a ball hasn't left his game.

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