Exclusive:Stephen Warnock assesses possibility of Leeds United system change after Harry Wilson's arrival from Fulham
Stephen Warnock has assessed the possibility of a Leeds United formation change following the signing of Harry Wilson
Stephen Warnock believes a change of system for Leeds United is possible following the arrival of Harry Wilson.
Leeds started the 2025/26 Premier League campaign playing a 4-3-3 formation, seeking to control possession as they had done in the Championship with a 4-2-3-1 set-up.
Pressure quickly mounted on manager Daniel Farke and as relegation fears intensified, the German took action. Leeds secured their safety while deploying a 3-4-2-1 set-up, which made them look considerably more stable.
Wilson recently became Leeds’ first signing of the summer transfer window, sealing a free transfer switch from Fulham. He can operate centrally but is a winger by trade, which has led some fans to ponder whether a return to a winger-based system could be on the cards.
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Stephen Warnock delivers verdict
Retired left-back Warnock, who made 64 appearances for Leeds between 2013 and 2015, told The Yorkshire Post: “There's a possibility of it (a formation change) - but if it's not broke, don't fix it.
“That's the difficult part. The great thing about Harry is that he can play anywhere across the front. He doesn't just play as a right-winger, he plays left wing or he can play in that 10.
“He brings an ability to change the team, an ability to switch things up. If you were to put him in the number 10 position or in that centre midfield position, joining up with [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin or [Noah] Okafor, then you've got goals from that position.
“Also, they're probably looking at his threat from set-pieces, not just his goals provided from a wide position. I think this is going to be very interesting to see what Daniel Farke does this year in terms of, does he go to that four, does he feel like Leeds need to score more goals? What we did see with Leeds is that they can score goals from that system.”
Leeds United’s system
Leeds’ formation switch further limited opportunities for the likes of Daniel James and Wilfried Gnonto, who saw the wide positions they usually occupied no longer prioritised.
The arrival of Wilson could perhaps tempt Farke into a shift, although there could also be a desire to use the 29-year-old as one of the two advanced players in behind the forward.
Given the Wales international is adept at manouvering in tight spaces and enjoys getting shots off, he could thrive in such a role. There is also every chance Farke opts for flexibility, and changes the base structure to cater for each fixture’s unique challenges.
Wilson was recently followed through the door by Bosnia & Herzegovina international centre-back Tarik Muharemović, who sealed a £34m move from Sassuolo last week.