Experienced Leeds United squad member reveals 'most difficult' challenge ahead as £34m deal provides promise — YEP 17/7/26

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By Kyle Newbould

Leeds United will hope to avoid the same mistakes they made following their last encouraging Premier League season.

Leeds United defender James Justin admits building on an impressive first season is the ‘most difficult’ aspect of becoming established in the Premier League.

Justin was part of a Leeds side who over-achieved on their goal of survival in 2025/26, eventually finishing 14th. Daniel Farke’s men were mathematically safe with three games to spare and allowed to enjoy the campaign’s final weeks in a way that’s been rare in West Yorkshire.

But those around Elland Road know all-too-well how a promising first season back can unravel, with their ninth-place finish under Marcelo Bielsa preceding 17th and then relegation in the two years after. Leeds at least feel better-prepared to keep climbing this time round, their summer window getting off to a strong start.

Justin has already welcomed new teammate Harry Wilson into the squad and will soon meet up with £34million centre-back Tarik Muharemovic. And the versatile defender is keen to hit that safety milestone as quickly as possible next season before continuing to look up.

“Leeds is a worldwide club,” Justin told LUTV. “Hopefully we can have a few fans out there in the US [for pre-season] and, yeah, see what it is like, the facilities, and make sure we are training right to be ready for the upcoming season.

“Now, we are going to have new goals and we are excited for the upcoming season. The first thing is to get to safety mark. That is the baseline.

“Last season was great and we finished 14th. That was a good start but backing it up season after season and growing on things and building things is the most difficult part.”

Justin and his teammates have been at Leeds Beckett University this week for pre-season testing, with the defender returning as a husband following his summer wedding. Farke’s squad will be put through their paces this summer but the right-back - who openly admitted needing the rest last season - is raring to go.

“It is exciting to be back with the lads and see everyone’s faces again,” he added. “It has been quite a long off-season and, yeah, we are ready to get back to work.

“I feel like over the last 10 years that I have been around it, it has changed dramatically. Everyone comes back fit and raring to go now. Everyone is in a good place so far and we are excited to get back on the pitches.”

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