Leeds survived — and Farke continues for 26/27
Leeds United finished 14th in 2025/26 with 47 points — survival secured at the first attempt after promotion. Daniel Farke continues; the Red Bull-era recruitment strategy is the structural identity of 26/27. For Fantasy Premier League managers, Leeds are a mid-table value pool: no premium picks justify ownership, but several sub-£5.5m starters are viable budget enablers.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin — Leeds' penalty taker now Piroe has gone
Joel Piroe has joined West Ham on loan for the season and took the penalties with him. Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£6.0m) is the Leeds penalty taker and lead striker now, and 28.6% of the game already owns him — by a distance the most-owned player at the club, and a genuine template pick rather than a differential. Harry Wilson (£6.5m, 7.0%) is the only other Leeds asset the market rates.
Daniel James (£5.0m) is the wide attacker; Brenden Aaronson (£5.4m) is the energetic mid-bracket pick. Neither is a credible captain alternative. Ethan Ampadu (£5.5m Leeds captain, central midfielder) takes corners and provides a low-ownership budget-mid option for managers seeking distinct picks.
Defence after Struijk and Meslier both left
Pascal Struijk has joined Brighton and Illan Meslier has joined Arsenal, so both names this section was built on are gone. James Trafford (£5.0m) is the goalkeeper. At the back, Joe Rodon (£4.5m) is out with a hamstring injury and not expected back until 21 November, which leaves Tarik Muharemović (£5.0m) as the only Leeds defender you can actually pick — both starts, 10 points, 3.2% owned. That is the honest read on a Leeds defence with no set-piece threat in it.
The Leeds defensive base is mid-tier solid; no defender at the club justifies £5m+ FPL pricing, and the budget-GK bracket is better served by Roefs at Sunderland.
Leeds' 26/27 ownership angle
Leeds are 11/2 for relegation — bookmakers expect mid-table survival. The recommended exposure: Calvert-Lewin on his own. The old "double Leeds" template was Struijk + Piroe, and Struijk is at Brighton while Piroe is at West Ham. No premium Leeds picks. Captain no Leeds asset.
The opening 5 fixture difficulty will determine whether the budget pair stays in your squad through the season. If Leeds draw three favourable home fixtures in GW1-5, Calvert-Lewin holds his 28.6% ownership and Wilson becomes the differential add. Otherwise defer until the first international break.