Leeds United fans have plenty to talk about as the international break brings both nostalgia and fresh debate to Elland Road. Thursday night’s England versus Wales friendly at Wembley rekindled memories of past glories, highlighted the evolving fortunes of Leeds’ current and former stars, and put the club’s recent transfer business under the microscope. With nine Leeds players on international duty—though notably, none representing England—the club’s global presence is growing, even as questions linger about their Premier League campaign and the future of their emerging talents.
The last time England faced Wales at Wembley, back in 2020, Leeds United’s fingerprints were all over the fixture. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, then an Everton player, made an instant impact on his England debut, nodding home a brilliant header to open the scoring in a match that ended 3-0 for the Three Lions. Kalvin Phillips, a fan-favorite and Leeds stalwart at the time, delivered a standout performance, providing the assist for Danny Ings’ spectacular acrobatic goal. Phillips’ contributions in that game and throughout England’s run to the Euro 2020 final cemented his status as one of the country’s brightest midfield prospects.
Fast forward to October 9, 2025, and the landscape has shifted. Leeds United, fresh off a busy summer transfer window that saw ten new faces arrive at Elland Road, are navigating the challenges of life back in the Premier League. Their efforts in the market have yielded mixed results so far, with the club earning eight points from their first seven matches—a respectable tally for a newly promoted side, but not without its headaches.
Noah Okafor, the Swiss winger, has been the pick of the summer signings, already netting two Premier League goals and providing the kind of attacking spark that could make the difference between survival and a quick return to the Championship. Anton Stach, Gabriel Gudmundsson, and Sean Longstaff have also established themselves as regular starters, shoring up a squad that needed fresh energy and depth.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, now wearing Leeds colors, has had a more complicated start to his tenure in West Yorkshire. Despite a promising pedigree and that memorable England debut, the 28-year-old striker has struggled for confidence and consistency since his move from Everton. He’s managed just one goal for Leeds—a crucial strike in a 3-1 win over Wolves in September—but has also missed eight ‘big chances’ across all competitions. With 11 appearances, four goals, and zero assists this season, Calvert-Lewin remains the preferred option up front over Lukas Nmecha and Joel Piroe, but the pressure is mounting for him to rediscover his best form.
Meanwhile, Kalvin Phillips’ journey has been a rollercoaster. After his high point with England and Leeds, a move to Manchester City promised greater things, but injuries and fierce competition for places saw him loaned out to Ipswich and West Ham in consecutive seasons. As of this international break, Leeds have no players in the England squad—a stark contrast to previous years, but a testament to the club’s changing identity and the opportunities for its international stars.
That brings us to Thursday’s friendly, where the Leeds connection was firmly on the Welsh side. Karl Darlow, Ethan Ampadu, and Joe Rodon—all Leeds players—were in contention to start for Wales under new manager Craig Bellamy. With Dan James missing out due to injury, Ampadu’s return to the starting lineup after missing the last international break was eagerly anticipated. For Wales, the fixture carried special significance: they haven’t beaten England at Wembley since Leighton James’ famous penalty in 1977. Could this be the night when Leeds’ Welsh contingent writes a new chapter in the rivalry?
Elsewhere, the club’s recent transfer history serves as a cautionary tale. The record-breaking £27 million signing of Rodrigo in 2020 was meant to herald a new era of attacking flair, but the Spanish forward’s inconsistent performances drew criticism from pundits and journalists alike. Rodrigo managed just seven goals and two assists in his first Premier League season, followed by six goals and one assist the next year. As journalist Phil Hay put it, “My criticism more and more is that the impact of that investment just hasn’t been felt. Not enough of their signings have made a difference.” Pundit Michael Dawson was even harsher, claiming Rodrigo was “hiding” and “non-existent” in a clash with Southampton.
Rodrigo’s final season saw him score 13 goals as Leeds were relegated, before he departed for Al-Rayyan in the summer of 2025 for just £3 million—a staggering £24 million loss. The hope among fans and the Leeds hierarchy is that this summer’s signings, led by manager Daniel Farke and the club’s 49ers ownership group, will avoid a similar fate and deliver lasting value.
The striker debate at Leeds is far from settled. Last season, Farke handed Mateo Joseph eight consecutive league starts, but the young Spaniard managed just one goal and three assists. Joseph’s refusal to train with the senior squad during pre-season led to a loan move to Mallorca, where he’s started four of their first eight La Liga matches. Despite not finding the net yet, Joseph has contributed two assists—winning a penalty in a 3-2 loss to Espanyol and setting up a goal with a clever pass. Mallorca, however, sit bottom of the league after a brutal run of fixtures against Spain’s elite.
Farke’s assessment of Joseph remains measured. He values the forward’s physicality and work rate, but knows that goals are the ultimate currency for a striker. With Calvert-Lewin, Nmecha, and Piroe ahead of him in the pecking order, Joseph faces an uphill battle to force his way back into Leeds’ plans. For now, regular minutes in La Liga might be the best path for his development—and for Farke, the hope is that Joseph’s loan spell will ignite the kind of red-hot form needed to stake a claim at Elland Road.
As the international break unfolds, Leeds United’s fortunes are being shaped by both their past and present decisions. From Calvert-Lewin’s England heroics and Phillips’ midfield mastery to the promise and pitfalls of recent transfers, the club stands at a crossroads. The coming weeks will reveal whether Farke’s new recruits can deliver where others have faltered—and whether Leeds’ international stars can make their mark on the biggest stage.
With the England versus Wales rivalry reignited and Leeds’ fingerprints all over the contest, Elland Road faithful have reason to watch closely. The story is still unfolding, and for Leeds United, the next chapter could be just as dramatic as those that came before.
