Leeds United have issued the retained list for the 2024/5 season, and while much of it confirms what we already know, on the face of it there are a couple of surprises.
The first piece of news on the list is that Sam Byram has triggered the one-year extension clause in his contract. Which is good news, as he has shown that he can still cut it in this division, and that when he’s not overcome by his various injury problems he is a good option to cover either full-back position.
It then lists 11 players who will be released, as soon as their contracts expire on June 30th, as they won’t be renewed. This includes Stuart Dallas, who we already know is going to retire at the age of 33, and Luke Ayling who is now enjoying life at Middlesbrough after we decided that he is past his best as a defender. Let’s hope he gets the beers in again when his new club come to Elland Road next season.
Lewis Bate won’t be coming back from his latest loan spell, and as he will be 22 in October the club presumably feel that as he hasn’t made the breakthrough at Leeds by now, he isn’t going to. But by all accounts his spell at League Two MK Dons was impressive, so perhaps they will now take the opportunity to sign him on a permanent basis.
Ian Poveda is also going to be released, having found his opportunities limited by the number of options Leeds has in the wide positions. But he became a key player for Sheffield Wednesday during their revival under new manager Danny Rohl, and he is the one player out of those released who I thought might have had a future at Leeds next season, given the likely departures of both Summerville and Gnonto.
As well as the 11 departures, Liam Cooper and Jamie Shackleton’s contracts are also about to expire, but the club is now "in talks” with them about extending their contracts. Shackleton won’t be a first choice but can cover several positions when need be, and although Cooper has his critics these days, we know he’s a valuable leader in the dressing room. But he must be one of the bigger earners, and the club has FFP targets to meet, so his wages might be a sticking point.
Four young players have been offered new contracts, and some fans on social media are surprised that one of them is Cody Drameh. But this will only have been because we are entitled to a ‘development fee’ because of his age, and to do so we must offer him a new deal on his current terms. For financial reasons alone he is unlikely to accept it (his current wage is well below what a 22 year old could expect in the Championship) and it’s well known he sees his future away from Elland Road.
Anthony, Roberts and Rodon are listed as "returning to their parent clubs following the conclusion of their loans”, but we have to assume that isn’t ruling out the signing of Rodon on a permanent basis. There are contradictory reports in the papers that Spurs have offered Rodon a contract extension, but also that he isn’t part of Ange Postecoglou’s plans at White Hart Lane.
Other reports are suggesting that Spurs are hoping to sign Archie Gray with Rodon going the other way as a part exchange, a thought that will no doubt have most Leeds fans shrieking in horror! Anthony and Roberts probably won’t be tempted to extend their stays at Elland Road given their lack of game time so far, though if Summerville is sold Anthony would be a good option on the left, with better free kicks.
There are five former 'scholars' who are to be offered professional contracts, so let’s hope that as the club trims the wage bill by releasing a whole host of more experienced back-up players, these lads will be able to fill in when need be. This is the complete retained list on the club’s official website.
Of course, this list won’t be the sum total of the players leaving Elland Road during the summer, as it doesn’t need to mention any of those whose contracts won’t expire until further into the future. There is plenty of speculation that some of the better players among them will be sold, plus Charlie Cresswell, who continues to be frustrated by his lack of first team opportunities.
The transfer window isn’t likely to get into full swing until after the Euros have finished, but you can bet that by the time it closes at the end of August there will have been another substantial reshaping of the squad at Elland Road.