🎧Who should be Leeds' keeper?published at 11:25 BST 23 June
11:25 BST 23 June
Media caption,
The team at BBC Radio Leeds have discussed Leeds United's transfer options this summer.
The goalkeeper position is one where clarity may be needed, with Adam Pope explaining there has been historic interest in Lucas Perri.
Simon Rix of the Kaiser Chiefs questions whether focusing on keeping Karl Darlow is the long-term answer or if Leeds should be looking for someone else.
Watch above or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
And tell us, what do you think Leeds should do with their goalkeeper position? Who should be number one?
Gossip: Leeds close to signing Saints midfielder Charlespublished at 07:47 BST 23 June
07:47 BST 23 June
Leeds United have moved closer to finalising a deal for Southampton's Northern Ireland midfielder Shea Charles, 22, who only has a year left on his current contract. (Teamtalk), external
No 'gauntlet' but 'relentless' as alwayspublished at 15:03 BST 19 June
15:03 BST 19 June
Image source, Getty Images
A traditional 3pm kick-off is a welcome start to the campaign at Nottingham Forest but a repeat of Leeds' wretched display there last season will not be.
It was during a run which almost cost manager Daniel Farke his job so a stronger showing is a necessity. According to Opta, the only time Leeds have faced Forest on the opening day of a season was when they last became champions of England in 1991-92. Dare to dream and all that!
Brentford are first up at Elland Road a week later and that means, despite the refurbishment of the West Stand, United are not playing back-to-back league games away to start with as some supporters had feared.
A tough October includes consecutive fixtures at defending champions Arsenal, who were the one side that overawed Leeds on both occasions last year, and then at home to rivals Manchester United. The return trip to Old Trafford, where Noah Okafor's double provided a memory for life in April, is a fortnight before the season closes out at Crystal Palace.
United are on their travels over the Christmas period as they and Anton Stach's right boot are scheduled at Villa Park on Boxing Day. Last season, the German's thunderous free-kick left the Champions Leaguers requiring a late equaliser as Leeds went toe to toe with another side in the upper echelons of the table.
East meets west as newly promoted Hull City provide the Yorkshire derby opponents before the year is out at the MKM, while Everton are the first visitors to Elland Road in 2027 before the FA Cup campaign begins.
Farke and his side rode out the storm to prevail and prove they could cope and compete with the best.
Some 12 months on, the fixtures may look kinder but this is the Premier League, which is relentless and where the broadcasters' picks can compound the difficulty of trying to stay up for another season.
That, of course, remains the target as Leeds aim to re-establish themselves.
Nottingham Forest v Leeds: Did you know?published at 12:01 BST 19 June
12:01 BST 19 June
Image source, Getty Images
Nottingham Forest will play Leeds United on the opening weekend of the Premier League campaign.
Last season, both sides won their respective home games 3-1.
The Whites have only faced Nottingham Forest in their opening league game of the season once before; they won 1-0 in 1991-92 under Howard Wilkinson, winning the top-flight title that campaign.
However, Nottingham Forest in the top flight are unbeaten in 14 against the Whites at the City Ground (W7 D7) since losing 2-0 in 1971-72.
Bielsa-ball and Southall's half-time strop - opening-day memoriespublished at 08:42 BST 19 June
08:42 BST 19 June
Image source, Getty Images
With the countdown to the 2026-27 Premier League fixture release well and truly on, we asked for your stories of opening-day games - both good and bad - that have stuck in your minds most. And you delivered.
Here are some of your replies:
Dave: Is anyone going to provide a comment that isn't that opening day win against Stoke? I remember walking into Elland Road saying: "If we lose less than 3-0, we can focus on the next one because they will be too strong."100 minutes later, I remember thinking: "What have we just witnessed? We are going to win the league." Marcelo Bielsa-ball had landed.
Mark: My first away game when we played Swansea on the opening day in 1981-82. We lost 5-1 on a red-hot August day. The journey home was a very sombre one.
David: Everton at home in August 2021. It was the first game of the new season and we were back at Elland Road after Covid closed its doors. It was an electric atmosphere and I remember Raphinha's stunning equaliser. It was a draw that felt like a win. Plus, it is amazing to think that Bielsa and Raphinha were both Leeds!
Richard: My best memory of an opening day game is Leeds away at Anfield in the 2020-21 season. It was the 12 September 2020, the game finished 4-3 to Liverpool and it was Leeds' first Premier League fixture for 16 years. They finished ninth that season under Bielsa.
Paul: It has to be the opening day in 1990-91. We were back in the top flight after an eight-year absence and it was the first time in my life that we had been promoted. We raced to a 3-0 lead away to Everton - they pulled it back to 3-2, but it was a fantastic first performance en route to finishing the season in fourth place.
Martin: My best memory is Everton away in our first season back in the old First Division. It was a great result and I will always remember Neville Southall's half-time strop.
Come back to this page at 10:00 BST to see how the Whites' 2026-27 Premier League fixtures have fallen.
'A different style from Calvert-Lewin' - your World Cup scoutingpublished at 19:30 BST 18 June
19:30 BST 18 June
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We asked you which players you have watched at the World Cup that you think would be a great fit at Leeds.
Here are some of your comments:
Kevin: With the more modest budget Leeds will have compared with their peers, I'm keeping it low key. I thought Qatar's Edmilson Junior looked sharp. May be good cover off the bench. Alex Freeman for USA also impressed me.
Luka: Folarin Balogun - a fast, effective pressing striker. A different style from Dominic Calvert-Lewin could also allow Noah Okafor to be a shadow striker in replacement of Brenden Aaronson.
Rob: Antonio Nusa of Norway would provide the attacking flair Leeds need - and pave the way for Erling Haaland to return home next year once we secure European football!
How is 'massive' stadium expansion job going?published at 06:44 BST 18 June
06:44 BST 18 June
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Will Elland Road's West Stand expansion "uncover any artefacts"? That's the question on BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope's mind.
Following Leeds United's announcement that work has now begun, external on the first phase of transforming the ground into a Uefa Category 4 stadium, the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast discussed the developments.
"The Norman Hunter Suite has been smashed apart now," Pope said. "The one thing I would be really interested to see is if they uncover any artefacts as they go along.
"The whole stand actually burned down in the 1950s before being rebuilt, so I reckon they will find all sorts once they get going.
"But if people are expecting them to have completed the demolition process by the time pre-season gets going, it is worth reminding them that it won't be the case. Games will still continue in the normal way, but they are having to go up and over the top [of the existing structure]."
Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix added: "It is weird because the whole big thing is around the club 'knocking the stand down', but the one thing the club isn't doing is 'knocking the stand down'.
"They have already got to the back wall of John Charles. They are going to build over it which is fine, but when they do get rid of the underneath it is going to be really hard depending on what they do on the outside of the ground.
"It will be a massive job to physically get all of the bits out from underneath the stand. They basically can't build anything on the bottom level because they will need to get that bottom level out at some point [during the redevelopment]."
Do Leeds need Byram and Wober if the club is 'going places'?published at 14:09 BST 17 June
14:09 BST 17 June
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BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope has been discussing Leeds United's official released and retained list on the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, highlighting that Illan Meslier will "probably never go to a club of the same ilk again".
"His message to the fans very much reflected what we spotted at the end of the final home game," Pope said. "He was taking it all in while sitting on the ball in the rain wearing his kit. It was a 'this is it' moment for him.
"This club will always be a part of him. It is the classic case of a number of players who will leave Leeds United and probably never go to a club of the same size or ilk again. It is sad for him but we wish him all the best."
On Sam Byram, who featured in the list of retained names, Pope added: "He only made a few appearances last season, but he showed there is enough there for him to be at least a reasonable back-up.
"He still looks the part, he still reads the game really well and he is able to adapt to both sides of the pitch as well. It makes sense to add another year onto his contract and then maybe sell him for a bit more.
"This is a great club to be around at the moment. He will want to be at a Premier League club that, let's be honest, looks like it is going places."
On Max Wober's situation, after returning from a season-long loan at Werder Bremen, Pope said: "He hardly played last season. He didn't really fully recover from an injury and then he started playing again in April.
"He is still under contract so technically he is coming back to Leeds United, but he clearly isn't wanted and isn't rated enough otherwise they wouldn't keep loaning him out.
"To be quite honest, I had almost forgotten about him. I don't see him suddenly getting a chance at the club. I would be very worried if he was the second-choice left-sided player next season."
Leeds to consider Leicester actionpublished at 11:03 BST 17 June
11:03 BST 17 June
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Leeds United are considering their legal options over a historic breach of Profit and Sustainability Rules by Leicester City.
The Yorkshire club were beaten to automatic promotion by Leicester in the 2023-24 season before going on to lose to Southampton in a Wembley play-off final.
A recent judgment has seen Everton ordered to pay Burnley £35m in compensation as a result of breaching spending rules. The Clarets argued the issue played a part in them being unable to avoid Premier League relegation when battling against Everton for survival in the 2021-22 campaign.
What are your best and worst opening-day memories?published at 16:12 BST 16 June
16:12 BST 16 June
The World Cup may be less than a week old but the 2026-27 Premier League fixtures will be released on Friday.
And to get in the mood as Leeds prepare for another season in the top flight, we want your stories of opening-day games that have stuck in your minds most - both the good and the bad.
🎧Transfer talk that's 'a bit of a stretch'published at 11:24 BST 16 June
11:24 BST 16 June
Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix have been discussing the rumoured move for Sporting Lisbon's Ousmane Diomande.
Buchan thinks the links are "a bit of a stretch" while Rix is of a mind that little of the current transfer talk "is true".
Leeds United reporter and commentator Pope said: "In terms of anything happening right now, in a Leeds point of view, I think we've got to wait a little while.
"I know it's infuriating when we see some Premier League clubs making quite high profile signings, or exit.
"Until teams start getting knocked out the World Cup for instance, players return, then you'll see things moving. I don't think we're going to be saying in a couple of days time, 'oooh there's a big signing.'"
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Gossip: Leeds want Ivory Coast defenderpublished at 08:02 BST 16 June
08:02 BST 16 June
Leeds United are lining up a move to sign Ivory Coast centre-back Ousmane Diomande from Sporting, which could see the 22-year-old replace Wales defender Joe Rodon, 28. (Football Insider), external
Leeds United's have four players representing the club at the World Cup.
Jonny Buchan, Adam Pope and Simon Rix discuss their limited involvement on the latest episode of BBC Radio Leeds' Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast, as well as the ongoing development of the West Stand at Elland Road.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
🎧 Released & retainedpublished at 10:03 BST 12 June
10:03 BST 12 June
As Leeds United shape their squad for the 2026-27 Premier League campaign the club has revealed its retained list for BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope and James Deighton to discuss.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
Centre-forward options and Ramazani's rolepublished at 17:02 BST 11 June
17:02 BST 11 June
Image source, Getty Images
In the final part of our special Q&A, BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope discusses whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin needs competition and whether Largie Ramazani has a future at Elland Road.
Michael asked: Which striker should Leeds be looking at to partner Dominic Calvert-Lewin? Is Jamie Vardy a possibility for the short term, even coming on for the last 30 minutes or so?
Adam: I really do not see Vardy fitting the profile at 39 years old, despite being available from Cremonese where his contract has expired.
Lukas Nmecha and Calvert-Lewin dovetailed well last season, but is it sensible to expect them to stay relatively injury free and to provide the same output again?
I was chatting to a group of Leeds United supporters and this subject came up about needing a player somewhere between the two current centre-forwards.
Zian Flemming, who is under contract at Burnley, was mentioned by one fan, who reminded everyone that he scored 11 Premier League goals in a struggling side. Flemming has not been mentioned by anyone at the club, by the way, but maybe the profile is more in keeping.
Calvert-Lewin looks supremely comfortable with being the main man, but I would like to see some more competition.
It will be very interesting to see where Harry Gray's development continues after a spell at Rotherham United. Does he come into the first-team fray again or is there a Championship loan for him to keep honing his skills?
Jon asked: Is there going to be a role for Ramazani next season?
Adam: I struggle to see it, especially when looking at his season with Valencia, when he made only 11 La Liga starts.
Willy Gnonto, who is ahead of Ramazani in the pecking order as it stands, struggled for game time this season, having only been named in the Premier League starting XI four times.
Scroll further down this page to find the rest of the Q&A.
Learning from the past and setting goals for the futurepublished at 13:16 BST 11 June
13:16 BST 11 June
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In the second part of a special Q&A, BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope explains how Leeds United will attempt to avoid deja vu and suggests what the aims should be for 2026-27.
Brendan asked: When Leeds United got back into the Premier League in 2019-20 with Marcelo Bielsa, we had a good first season and then it went downhill. Are we at risk of a touch of deja vu? Is there anything we can learn from that unravelling?
Adam: Paraag Marathe was keen to stress that history will not be repeated when he spoke to the media recently. He admitted there was a lot to learn from those three campaigns. He specifically mentioned that recruitment had been a bit 'flying by the seat of your pants' and financial structuring was another issue.
Since then, it has been far more structured, and he said: "We take those lessons with us going forward now and this is why we need to be very sort of strategic, careful and thoughtful around how we go into this second season... To me, it is about establishing Premier League residency - and that probably is that three-year plan".
Also, the contract and salary structure will be more sustainable and less punitive to the club going forward. Coupled with the development of Elland Road in the future to augment revenues, the overall plan seems robust.
Gary asked: What should Leeds United realistically be aiming for next season? Second seasons in the Premier League are often tougher, even for teams that performed well after promotion. Should the focus be on survival again, targeting 17th or above, or is it time to push for a stable mid-table finish?
Adam: I think the percentage chance of being relegated in your second season in the Premier League remains so high that a 17th-placed finish should not be marked as failure this time around.
I know West Ham went down with 39 points, but, the truth is, sides coming up struggle to reach 30 points, never mind 40. It takes three tough years to become an established Premier League side. Look at Brighton, who finished 15th, 17th, 15th and 16th after promotion. Aston Villa's record was 17th, 11th and then back to 15th in their first three seasons, following their play-off final victory over Derby County in 2019.
However, I really think Leeds can set a goal of a domestic cup victory, coupled with Premier League safety, which of course would return the club to the European stage.
Keep across this page for the final part of Adam's Q&A, which will look at subjects including possible striker targets and Largie Ramazani's future.
Transfer market approach and Elland Road redevelopmentpublished at 09:06 BST 11 June
09:06 BST 11 June
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We asked you to send in your Leeds United questions for BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope before the summer transfer window opens.
In the first part of a special Q&A, he focuses on the Whites' transfer plans plus the pros and cons of redeveloping Elland Road.
Raj asked: Where do you think Leeds will strengthen this summer, and who do you think will be sold to assist financial regulations?
Adam: I think there will be an attempt to retain the key talent, which has started with captain Ethan Ampadu's new four-year deal. Also, from the recent discussion with chairman Paraag Marathe, there seems a real positivity that manager Daniel Farke will be staying beyond the existing year of his contract.
My view is that an elite goalkeeper, another centre-forward and a creative number 10 are the priorities. I believe it will be a 'quality over quantity' summer, with a similar amount to a year ago being available, unless some players are sold.
Willy Gnonto and Joel Piroe have been on the periphery, so you do wonder if deals will be done if the right offers are received for them. Pascal Struijk would make a big return if sold, but ideally I would want to see him stay as he is a quality left-footed defender. Plus, I like the three-at-the-back system as it seems to bring the best out of him, Jaka Bijol and Joe Rodon.
Ian asked: Will the development of Elland Road have an impact on revenue and therefore Squad Cost Ratio? If so, when will it have an impact and by how much?
Adam: No, building costs are excluded from Squad Cost Ratio. In a couple of years, the club will be much better off from a revenue perspective with the expanded stadium. In the short term, PSR would have allowed slightly more wriggle room.
That is why the club voted against SCR, because in the short term it was restrictive, but Marathe says it is not to an extent which will prevent the club from doing what it intends.
Keep across this page for parts two and three of Adam's Q&A, which will look at subjects including realistic aims for next season and bringing in competition for Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Gossip: Leeds look to break transfer record for Diomandepublished at 08:28 BST 11 June
08:28 BST 11 June
Leeds United want to break their transfer record to sign Ivory Coast defender Ousmane Diomande from Sporting, with an offer of up to £35m and another £8m in add-ons. (Mirror), external
'I can't see Struijk staying'published at 15:48 BST 10 June
15:48 BST 10 June
BBC Radio Leeds' Jonny Buchan and Adam Pope, and Kaiser Chiefs' bassist Simon Rix discuss whether Pascal Struijk will stay at Elland Road this summer on the latest Don't Go To Bed Just Yet.
"Retaining players is really important. But could this be the summer where they sell someone for a lot of money? That might be a few fringe players, such as Wilfried Gnonto. I think Strujk has become even more pivotal. I'd be delighted if they tied him down," said Pope.
Buchan added: "I can't see him staying. If they're talking about how tight they are on the money, and the situation they find themselves in, he is profit. He would go for what will be deemed as all profit.
"However sad that is, if that's the reality, he might want to go get European football now. If the club are looking for a little bit of wiggle room, then he is key to that isn't he?"
The centre-back made 296 defensive contributions, 118 recoveries and 207 clearances in the 2025-26 Premier League season.
Listen below or on BBC Sounds here - and don't forget to subscribe to get each episode into your My Sounds feed.
