Leeds United supporters are already eagerly anticipating the 2016/17 campaign with new boss Garry Monk tasked with returning the glory days to the West Yorkshire-based outfit.
The Whites chose not to offer Steve Evans a new contract following a 13th placed finish last season and the club’s hierarchy will be demanding a better campaign next time around.
With quality infrastructure in place and some of the most passionate fans in the country, the Premier League must be the ultimate goal for such a huge club and Monk will understand the size of the job in hand.
Leeds are blessed with some of the brightest youngsters in the country and former Swansea City boss Monk will be looking for some of last season’s flops to step-up during next season.
Football League World writer Lee Clarke takes at look at three current Leeds United players who must improve their performances next season.
Marco Silvestri
The Italian goalkeeper was the number one stopper at Elland Road last season but if he wishes to stay in that role he will have to cut out the silly errors which are so prominent in his performances.
The 25-year-old played in all but one of Leeds’ Sky Bet Championship games last season and did have a decent season with the errors less frequent.
One standout error came in the game away at Nottingham Forest when he was caught in no man’s land outside his penalty area, allowing Nelson Oliveira to tap home. It was a game in which Leeds never looked like losing and cost Leeds two points.
It wasn’t the only error of the season and with Garry Monk rumoured to be looking at other goalkeepers, Silvestri will know he needs to up his game.
Alex Mowatt
Monk is renowned for getting the very best out of a group of younger players and Leeds fans will be hopeful that he can get the Doncaster-born midfielder back firing.
Mowatt featured 33 times for the Whites last season but struggled to find any real consistency and was often utilised from the bench.
The 21-year-old will be keen to ensure that his career doesn’t stagnate and the 2016/17 season could be a massive year for the youngster.
Mowatt possesses the potential to be one of the finest players in the Championship and boss Monk will be keen to get the best out of the player next season.
Jordan Botaka
Former Leeds United boss Steve Evans was overly critical of the Congolese winger when he first arrived at Elland Road, which probably didn’t do much for the youngster’s confidence.
By the end of the season the 23-year-old had worked hard enough to force his way back into contention for the first-team but it came at the expense of not making a Championship squad for four months.
Monk won’t stick with players who possess that level of consistency and the ex-Club Brugge man will need to continue to play how he was towards the end of last season, if he retains any hope of a future with the Whites.
Leeds United fans, do you agree that these three players need to up their game next season? Who else should be in the firing line? Let us know in the comments below!!!