Since the turn of the century, Leeds United have been in only 10 Premier League seasons. Yet, there are some absolute gems from that decade who would walk into Daniel Farke’s side right now.

The 16-year gap between 2003-04 and 2019-20 saw Leeds fans become disillusioned with their club. The appointment of Marcelo Bielsa and promotion in 2020 finally saw the club win back their supporters.

Yes, Leeds were then relegated and spent two more seasons out of the Premier League, largely thanks to Jesse Marsch and Victor Orta. But these days, Leeds are an established Premier League force under Farke.

Sitting in 8th in the table after 10 games, the Whites are flying high, and supporters are dreaming of a return to European football. But which players from the Premier League era get into Farke’s current side?

Raphinha is an absolute certainty; he’s a no-brainer

Without any shred of doubt, Raphinha is the obvious inclusion in the current side. For a generation of Leeds fans, the Brazil star and Barcelona captain is the best player the club has ever seen play for Leeds.

Whether it be his debut goal against Everton, ruining Crystal Palace’s Gary Cahill, or his miracle display on the final day of the 2021-22 season at Brentford, Raphinha is remembered for moments of utter genius.

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pranav.shahaney

Raphinha for sure. Capable of turning games around single-handedly

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He gets into this Leeds side without question, and that is no fault of Farke’s current players. Since his move to Barcelona, he has become a Ballon d’Or contender, after 29 goals and assists in 67 Leeds games.

The David O’Leary era: Kewell, Bowyer, Smith and Woodgate…

If the discussion was based purely on talent, and what they did in a Leeds shirt, Harry Kewell would get into this Leeds side without question. He had a hand in 92 goals and assists in 240 Leeds appearances.

But Kewell is known as ‘Judas’ among Leeds fans after joining Galatasaray, even though he was part of the Leeds side that played Galatasaray immediately after the death of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight.

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peter.lynch

Viduka, Raphinha and Kewell, imagine the scenes!

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He scored the goal that saw Leeds beat Milan in the Champions League. During that run in Europe, the midfielder was incredible, clocking up 75 goals and assists in 263 games. A real powerhouse from deep.

Whether he’d get in above Anton Stach, Harry Wilson or Ao Tanaka is another question; but he’d certainly be in the mix. Alan Smith and Jonathan Woodgate might have too, but both have since worked for them.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin vs Mark Viduka

Viduka is up there with Leeds’ best-ever strikers. The Australian could have joined Milan for £38m in the summer of 2001, a year after moving to Elland Road, and yet he remained until relegation in 2004.

His four goals against Liverpool, his winner against Arsenal at Highbury before the Gunners’ Invincibles run, his overall stats of 72 goals and 19 assists in 166 Leeds games; Viduka was an iconic part of this era.

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will.butcher

Raphinha, Viduka and i’d have Olivier Dacourt. Classiest player i’ve seen wear the Leeds shirt in my lifetime. Wouldn’t mind Rio either, but it makes me feel a bit sick to say that.

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But Calvert-Lewin is just as impressive. An England international, no English player has scored as many goals as Calvert-Lewin in the Premier League since he joined Leeds. Having both would be great.

Rio Ferdinand might have joined them, but he’d start for Leeds

Plenty of fans have suggested Rio Ferdinand in this poll. Again, if we are basing it simply on his time at Leeds and his footballing career, regardless of which badge he was wearing, he’d get into Leeds’ team.

But like Smith during his playing career, and like Woodgate, who is currently on Michael Carrick’s staff, they have decided to leave their Leeds allegiance behind and join the club’s biggest rivals: Man United.

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charlesjones

Rio Ferdinand, Raphinha and Hasselbaink. Between those three you’re pushing for CL

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The left-field suggestions, like French midfielder Olivier Dacourt

There are plenty of other players that could get into Leeds’ side and be welcomed at the same time, aside from the likes of Viduka, Raphinha, Kewell and Ferdinand. Having a Leeds lad like Smith would be superb.

But we all know why Leeds fans don’t remember him fondly. Olivier Dacourt would add some class to Farke’s midfield. Ian Harte, some set-piece ability. Gary Kelly would provide excellent cover at right-back.

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chillout

Radebe – the leader. Natural talent Harry Kewell. Set-piece specialist Ian Harte.

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Lucas Radebe deserves an enormous mention, and there is certainly an argument that he would be an improvement on the likes of Nico Elvedi or Jaka Bijol in the middle of the back three under Farke.

However, if you could choose three players, the answers are clear. Raphinha is the clear favourite among fans, Viduka would be a strong pick, and despite their career choices, Kewell and Ferdinand are joint third.