Leeds United's Team of the Football League era
Leeds United's Team of the Football League era

Leeds United's Team of the Football League: LS11 pick out their best Leeds players since 2004


Leeds United are just seven wins away from ending their 16-year wait for a return to the Premier League.

Marcelo Bielsa's men currently sit top of the Sky Bet Championship standings after 37 games.

They're one point ahead of West Brom in second but crucially, there's a seven-point gap between themselves and Fulham in the play-off places.

A lot has happened since they dropped out of England's top-flight in 2004 but among the play-off defeats, relegations and off-field troubles, Leeds have seen some incredibly talented players walk through the doors at Elland Road.



To pick out the best eleven, we've teamed up with fan group LS11 who have made a case for their 'Team of the Football League'.

The rules are simple. To qualify, a player must have played for Leeds after their relegation from the Premier League.

Ryan Wilson, LS11 podcaster and Pigeon Detectives guitarist, has stepped up to the task and created a team in a 4-4-2 diamond formation.

Here, he explains the reasoning behind each of his eleven selections.

GK: Rob Green

Rob Green in action for Leeds
Rob Green in action for Leeds

Rob Green was one of the first goalkeepers in a long time where I personally felt that I could place complete trust in him.

He came to Elland Road with a brilliant pedigree and he did not let us down.

If it was not for him in at the back end of the 2016/17 season, we would have dropped further down the league and not enjoyed the play-off push that we did.

RB: Luke Ayling

Luke Ayling celebrates Leeds' win over local rivals Huddersfield
Luke Ayling celebrates Leeds' win over local rivals Huddersfield

I will admit that I did not know much about Luke Ayling when he arrived. He was a fairly cheap purchase and most Leeds fans thought he would be a squad player.

However, Bielsa has turned him into an excellent right wing-back, contributing with goals and assists throughout the season.

But even before Bielsa, Ayling was a solid 7/10 in every game. He is a player who never lets the supporters down. Long may that continue.

CB: Richard Naylor

Richard Naylor battles against Wayne Rooney
Richard Naylor battles against Wayne Rooney

When we talk about the classic, tough centre-backs, we look towards the leaders and those who truly 'play for the shirt'.

In Richard Naylor, Leeds had a defender who truly epitomised the above criteria.

Every game, he would put his body on the line for the team and it was an attribute that every Leeds supporter loved.

CB – Liam Cooper

Liam Cooper: Leeds captain insists they can handle high expectations
Leeds captain Liam Cooper

Liam Cooper has been in-and-around the squad for a while.

He spent a lot of the time on the bench in the early part of his Leeds career. Despite that, he worked hard, improved and never complained.

It lead to him earning the right to be the captain of the club. Cooper's story is an inspiring one and he deserves a spot in this XI.

LB - Charlie Taylor

Charlie Taylor makes the Leeds Team of the Football League
Charlie Taylor makes the Leeds Team of the Football League

The left-back position has long been difficult for Leeds to fill since the likes of Ian Harte left the club.

For me, there have been some good servants since the Premier League days but not many have made the position their own.

Charlie Taylor was an exciting player who came through the youth set-up. He has a brilliant left foot and chipped in with some great assists.

It was just a shame that he left the club in the manner and circumstances that he did.

RM: Robert Snodgrass

Robert Snodgrass celebrates
Robert Snodgrass celebrates

As soon as I saw Robert Snodgrass play I knew we had a great talent on our hands. The winger had spent time at Livingston before joining Leeds on a trial.

The ability he has to dribble and to cross are two stand-out elements for a player with a lack of natural pace.

It is no surprise to see that he has since gone on to establish himself as a regular starter in the Premier League.

CDM: Kalvin Phillips

Kalvin Phillips hands out instructions
Kalvin Phillips hands out instructions

Kalvin Phillips was coasting through the Leeds squad without much direction - or so it seemed.

Then, Bielsa arrived and played him in a defensive midfield role where he has been magnificent.

He is rumoured to be in line for an England call-up and that would be well deserved based on recent seasons.

CAM: Pablo Hernandez

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In similar fashion to when Green arrived, we all knew of Pablo Hernandez's career with Valencia, Swansea and Spain.

You could instantly see that he had played at that higher level. Hernandez has been an instrumental cog in the Leeds team - he simply makes things click.

He is coming towards the end of his career but is still as competitive and fit as the younger players. He is the magician!

LM: Max Gradel

Max Gradel in action for Leeds
Max Gradel in action for Leeds

Max Gradel remains one of the most exciting players to feature in a Leeds shirt since the Premier League era.

I, and many other supporters, just loved the way that he would pick up the ball and run at opposition players. It was an eye-catching trait of his.

Gradel also contributed some vital goals and assists to get us out of League One and back to the second tier of English football.

ST: Luciano Becchio

Luciano Becchio was a fan favourite at Leeds
Luciano Becchio was a fan favourite at Leeds

As an unknown trialist, at a time when trialists were passing through the revolving door at Elland Road, we did not have high hopes for Luciano Becchio.

However, he instantly became a fan favourite. I loved his passion and the ability to be in the right place at the right time.

He was not the most skilful of players but he had a natural goalscorer instinct. That's something that can not be taught.

The Argentine forward finished with 86 goals in 219 appearances for the club.

ST: Chris Wood

Chris Wood celebrates
Chris Wood celebrates

Like a lot of strikers at Leeds, it took Chris Wood a bit of time to get into his groove at the club. When he did though, he was unstoppable.

Wood was one of the most reliable strikers the club has had in a long time. When Leeds had a chance, even half a chance, there was a confidence that he would convert it.

I wasn't wrong. Wood finished as the Championship's top goalscorer in the 2016/17 season.

Leeds United's Team of the Football League

Chosen by LS11's Ryan Wilson

LS11 | Bielsa Cam | Reactions vs Middlesbrough
  • GK: Rob Green
  • RB: Luke Ayling
  • CB: Richard Naylor
  • CB: Liam Cooper
  • LB: Charlie Taylor
  • RM: Robert Snodgrass
  • DM: Kalvin Phillips
  • AM: Pablo Hernandez
  • LM: Max Gradel
  • ST: Luciano Becchio
  • ST: Chris Wood

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