Leeds United tactic and team guide for Football Manager 2021. Club vision, tactic, key players, youth prospects and transfers in FM21.
Leeds United tactic and team guide for Football Manager 2021. Club vision,
tactic, key players, youth prospects and transfers in FM21.
Here is a brief analysis of the Leeds squad, their club structure, relationship any potential managers will have with the board, expectations and possible tactics any FM21 manager can use.
About Leeds United
Leeds United are a team from Yorkshire, they are renowned in English football and were one of the consistent performers in the early days of the Premier League.
After a turbulent start to the Premier League era, they stabilised themselves under David O’Leary, never finishing outside the top 5 even once. It is during
this time that they regularly qualified for the UEFA Champions League and the
UEFA Cup, making it to the semifinals of both competitions.
There is also in an infamous incident in Istanbul where 2 Leeds fans were
stabbed to death during their Champions League visit to Galatasaray. After
unsuccessful attempts to qualify for the Champion’s League in the early 2000s
Leeds were forced to sell their best players, eventually getting relegated in
the 2003-2004 season.
The club went into administration in 2007 and sank even further into the 3rd
tier of English football. However, since 2010 Leeds are on the rise, initially
stabilising their presence in the Championship and currently promoted to the
PL.
Leeds recently achieved PL Promotion, the board requirements once you take over will be,
1. Mid-table league finish
2. Making the 5th round of the FA cup
3. Making the 4th round of the Carabao Cup.
You will additionally be required to play entertaining attacking football and develop players using the club’s youth system
Leeds do have good training and youth facilities. They also have good youth recruitment. However, you will need to improve this once you stabilise the club’s position in the Premier League.
Board Requirements
Leeds recently achieved PL Promotion, the board requirements once you take over will be,
1. Mid-table league finish
2. Making the 5th round of the FA cup
3. Making the 4th round of the Carabao Cup.
You will additionally be required to play entertaining attacking football and develop players using the club’s youth system
Leeds do have good training and youth facilities. They also have good youth recruitment. However, you will need to improve this once you stabilise the club’s position in the Premier League.
RELATED: 5 Clubs With Best Youth Intake - Football Manager 2021
Leeds are highly liked for their high tempo entertaining brand of football. A Gegenpress is a best-suited tactic for their players, and that is how they play in real life as well.
A 4-1-4-1 formation is how Leeds usually line up in real life; however, a 4-2-3-1 is easier to execute in the game and is best suited in my opinion for the squad of players.
A rough example of what your line-up would look like in a 4-2-3-1 formation is as follows,
Illan Meslier as a sweeper-keeper
Robin Koch & Diego Llorente as the 2 centre backs both played as Ball Playing Defenders.
Luke Ayling & Stuart Dallas as the 2 fullbacks. Both are good attacking fullbacks who can cross well, so increased crossing instructions might help with a few goals.
Kalvin Philips & Mateusz Klich as the 2 central midfielders, Philips as a defensive playmaker and Klich as a box to box midfielder.
Jack Harrison & Raphinha as the 2 wide players both as attacking inside forwards.
Rodrigo as the attacking midfielder who can push into the box when needed.
Patrick Bamford as the lone striker in a Centre Forward or Advanced forward role.
Alternatively, when you change to a 3 at bringing Alioski in. Counter attacking style can also be deployed in challenging away games as Leeds have really rapid players who can hurt teams on counters.
RELATED: Football Manager 2021 Team Emulated Tactics
New record signing Rodrigo is a constant menace for opposing defenders and is a goal threat. He is extremely quick on his feet and highly versatile meaning that he can perform ably in a variety of roles.
Philips is responsible for starting most attacks for Leeds and is a disruptive presence in midfield. He is a naturally aggressive player who is very comfortable on the ball.
Another new signing Raphinha is a creative beast. At just 23, he still has room for growth. He can cause havoc on the wings with his excellent dribbling and quick feet.
Dallas is the handyman at Leeds and can play in several positions, at an extremely high level. He is also a workhorse on the pitch and is a complete team player who can be an asset to any team.
1. The team is not clinical and can suffer from not finishing the chances they create.
2. The overall squad depth is also quite average outside the first team where the squad players may not be good enough to achieve the targets of the board.
3. Many vital players are new and could take time to gel and adjust to the pace of the league.
4. Key talents could get poached by better clubs.
Squad, Formation and Tactical Style
Leeds are highly liked for their high tempo entertaining brand of football. A Gegenpress is a best-suited tactic for their players, and that is how they play in real life as well.
A 4-1-4-1 formation is how Leeds usually line up in real life; however, a 4-2-3-1 is easier to execute in the game and is best suited in my opinion for the squad of players.
A rough example of what your line-up would look like in a 4-2-3-1 formation is as follows,
Illan Meslier as a sweeper-keeper
Robin Koch & Diego Llorente as the 2 centre backs both played as Ball Playing Defenders.
Luke Ayling & Stuart Dallas as the 2 fullbacks. Both are good attacking fullbacks who can cross well, so increased crossing instructions might help with a few goals.
Kalvin Philips & Mateusz Klich as the 2 central midfielders, Philips as a defensive playmaker and Klich as a box to box midfielder.
Jack Harrison & Raphinha as the 2 wide players both as attacking inside forwards.
Rodrigo as the attacking midfielder who can push into the box when needed.
Patrick Bamford as the lone striker in a Centre Forward or Advanced forward role.
Alternatively, when you change to a 3 at bringing Alioski in. Counter attacking style can also be deployed in challenging away games as Leeds have really rapid players who can hurt teams on counters.
RELATED: Football Manager 2021 Team Emulated Tactics
Key Players
1. Rodrigo
New record signing Rodrigo is a constant menace for opposing defenders and is a goal threat. He is extremely quick on his feet and highly versatile meaning that he can perform ably in a variety of roles.
2. Kalvin Philips
Philips is responsible for starting most attacks for Leeds and is a disruptive presence in midfield. He is a naturally aggressive player who is very comfortable on the ball.
3. Raphinha
Another new signing Raphinha is a creative beast. At just 23, he still has room for growth. He can cause havoc on the wings with his excellent dribbling and quick feet.
4. Stuart Dallas
Dallas is the handyman at Leeds and can play in several positions, at an extremely high level. He is also a workhorse on the pitch and is a complete team player who can be an asset to any team.
Weaknesses
1. The team is not clinical and can suffer from not finishing the chances they create.
2. The overall squad depth is also quite average outside the first team where the squad players may not be good enough to achieve the targets of the board.
3. Many vital players are new and could take time to gel and adjust to the pace of the league.
4. Key talents could get poached by better clubs.
Youth Prospects
Leeds have several young players who can perform at a high standard. Some of the best are,
1. Illan Meslier
Meslier is the new signing and has the potential to be amongst the best keepers in the league. He is very good in the air and at collecting crosses.
2. Jamie Shackleton
The young midfielder is already good enough to be an essential member of the
Leeds squad and can go on to become one of the club’s best players in the
future.
The defensive midfielder currently plays for the u23s and can break into the first team in a few years. He has the quality to be amongst the best players the club has ever produced and be an asset to the team.
3. Nohan Kenneh
The defensive midfielder currently plays for the u23s and can break into the first team in a few years. He has the quality to be amongst the best players the club has ever produced and be an asset to the team.
Potential Transfers (in)
These players could be a handy addition to the Leeds squad and help them achieve their targets,
· Danny Ings
· Myron Boadu
Potential Transfers (Out)
These players may be surplus to requirements at the club or may not be of the expected quality.
· Gaetano Berardi
· Liam Cooper
Summary
To Summarize, Leeds United are a very exciting team to manage with their plethora of young players and their ability to play fast entertaining football.
However, sustenance and going the next step with the club is the real
challenge, are you up for it?
