Five players who could play their final Leeds United game at Elland Road vs Brighton
Three of these looks certain but two other Leeds United players perhaps sit on the precipice.
The final home game of the season comes with no relegation jeopardy and a chance for Leeds United to celebrate.
Sunday’s visit of Brighton & Hove Albion, and Georginio Rutter, marks the first time Leeds have played on home soil since survival was officially sealed on Sunday. Cue the catalogue of chants.
For some players, it could be the last time they get onto the field as a Leeds player at Elland Road. It is certain Illan Meslier has already done so, and he is not expected to be in the squad having failed to play a game all season.
Reserve goalkeeper Alex Cairns is also out of contract while the jury is out on Lucas Perri, who is set for the bench in the final two games.
However, five others may well get their final taste of Elland Road as a home player this weekend, marking a poignant moment. For some, this seems more certain than others with this list of five very possibly whittling down to three.
Facundo Buonanotte
To start with an obvious one, Buonanotte will do well to get a final run-out. The loanee’s time at Elland Road has been an abject failure, struggling to get into the matchday squad, never mind onto the pitch.
His full debut against Birmingham in the fourth round of the FA Cup couldn’t have gone much worse, with the 21-year-old hooked at half time. The playmaker has made just five of the subsequent 15 matchday rosters.
He sustained injury in the build up to the trip to Tottenham Hotspur so remains a doubt for now anyway. But if he does make it then it is possible he gets onto the pitch, at least in theory.
Karl Darlow
As things stand, this is set to be Darlow’s final match at Elland Road with his contract due to expire this summer. Now, it is expected that the club will try to tie him down to a new deal before his current one expires.
Daniel Farke said fans could ‘read between the lines’ when it came to his intentions, while choosing to stay vague. Darlow himself will have a decision to make, though, given he has started the last two seasons as number two before rising to number one.
Leeds are expected to go in for another goalkeeper this summer. Does he want to start as a number two again aged 35? It’s not a clear-cut certainty. But at the same time, it is possible it is not his final hurrah at home.
Joel Piroe
Piroe’s exit has been expected for some time, and he is almost certain to move on this summer given his stark lack of game time. He has been a fall guy of the transfer recruitment policy of buying big and bulky.
He has not started a league game since August and has enjoyed just 10 minutes of top-flight action since the start of February. Yet it would be a surprise not to see the attacker come on for at least a cameo against Brighton given Leeds are safe and everyone knows this is the end for him.
While not a contributor to this season, Piroe has scored 34 goals in 116 games for Leeds, and walked away with the Championship golden boot last season. He deserves his dues and a decent send-off.
Wilfried Gnonto
Gnonto is the most vague member out of this list of five, given his contract still runs until 2027 with the option of a further year. If it was down to the club’s preference, they likely would prefer to keep him.
But the winger has not had the game time he wants this season, having not started a league match since November. Yet Gnonto has shown what he can do when he comes on, with his attacking intent leading to three Premier League assists from the bench.
Offers for Gnonto will surely land in United’s inbox this summer. If any take his fancy, then conversations may well be had. If this does happen, and a lot could depend on what system Daniel Farke wishes to employ next season, Leeds will drive a hard bargain for a player who is still only 22.
Sam Byram
Byram has played just 85 minutes all season and is destined for the exit door. He penned a one-year renewal last year but the same will not happen again.
The defender has managed to realise two dreams. His seven-minute outing against Arsenal means he has represented boyhood club Leeds in the Premier League. And he also took the armband for the first time against Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup in August.
Byram played a key role filling in at left-back and on the right when required last season, playing 36 games in all. He might get a late cameo against Brighton on Sunday as he enjoys one last outing for the club he supported as a boy.
Isaac Johnson
Isaac is the Leeds United reporter for LeedsLive. An NCTJ-qualified journalist, Isaac has interviewed many football icons during his career, including World Cup winners and Premier League champions. He has also sat down with a number of Olympic greats, such as Adam Peaty MBE and Dame Laura Kenny.
