OPINION
Leeds United will close the curtains on another disappointing season on Sunday against QPR, where once again they have fallen short of a serious run at promotion.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side have finished mid-table this campaign despite topping the Championship leaderboard in the early months.
The Yorkshire giants now have an absolutely vital summer transfer window ahead of them and if they play it right fans will hope next year can finally be their time to return to the Premier League.
The Whites have all the foundations for top-flight football at Elland Road, but a lot of pressure lies with the transfer dealings of the club’s director of football, Victor Orta.
It is absolutely clear that Leeds needs a prolific goalscorer to bolster their frontline, a new first-choice left-back, and another centre-back signed ahead of next season.
However, it is almost vitally as important that they manage to keep hold of their prized assets.
They have made a good start by nailing Pablo Hernandez to a two-year contract, but supporters need to know that both centre-back Pontus Jansson and playmaker Samuel Saiz will be part of the team next season.
Leeds have seen their talismen depart in years gone by and if it happens again then a potential title bid could be derailed before it even starts.
Chris Wood, Lewis Cook, Sam Byram and Ross McCormack are four marquee names that have left in the last four consecutive summer windows.
Leeds may have had their good reasons to sell at the time, but the competitiveness in the Championship dictates they must try to keep their star men to launch a promotion bid the following season.
Jansson and Saiz are certainly good enough to play key roles next term under Heckingbottom, with the additional arrivals of some proven Championship stars.