Liam Cooper’s impending departure from Elland Road marks the end of an era for Leeds United, with the club captain set to bid farewell after ten years of service. Phil Hay of The Athletic reports that Cooper, Leeds’ longest-serving player since joining from Chesterfield in 2014, is expected to leave at the conclusion of the current season.
Despite signing a contract extension in September 2019, Cooper’s five-year deal is set to expire, leaving the 32-year-old defender on the verge of departing Leeds.
Cooper’s tenure at the club has been marked by his leadership both on and off the pitch, with the Scottish international assuming the role of captain in 2017 and playing a pivotal role in Leeds’ promotion to the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa’s guidance in 2020.
Cooper’s contributions to the club’s success extend beyond his leadership, as he ranks among Leeds’ top 30 players for all-time appearances, having amassed 281 appearances and notching 11 goals during his tenure.
Despite his status as a club stalwart, Cooper has found playing time limited this season under manager Daniel Farke, with Pascal Struijk and Ethan Ampadu often preferred in central defense.
As Leeds prepares for a summer of transition, Cooper is not the only player expected to depart Elland Road.
If Cooper is a difficult player to say goodbye to, then Stuart Dallas may be even more so, but it is becoming a growing reality for Leeds fans heading towards the summer.
It is uncertain whether he will be offered fresh terms beyond next summer. Of course, he is a fan favourite at Elland Road and succumbed to a terrible femoral fracture all the way back in April 2022 against Manchester City and is yet to return to action since.
He turns 33 before the end of the season and it looks as though everything stacks up against Dallas regarding renewal as things stand, and many Leeds fans will be hoping that is subject to change with a full recovery, but it appears more unlikely than likely at the present moment.
The likelihood is that he will be unable to play a single game again for the club, and it will be difficult for the club to let sentimentality get in the way and retain him. The Northern Irishman is earning a wage despite it being almost two years since his last appearance.
That alone will be reason enough to move on from Dallas and replace him with a younger profile.
Central defender Charlie Cresswell at one time looked to be dead set to leave the club before the end of the January transfer window. Farke said that Cresswell wasn’t part of his plans because he wasn’t “mentally ready” and that if a suitable offer came in for him they’d be willing to listen to it, as per The Athletic.
Just over two weeks later, and less than a week before the January transfer window closed, the German manager had changed his tune. He said that there was a possibility that the 21-year-old could come back into the fold, again per The Athletic, thanks to a change in attitude seen in Cresswell.
It may leave Leeds light in central defensive areas, but Cresswell will be keen to get regular minutes under his belt again, which will not be afforded to him if Leeds are promoted back to the Premier League this season.
Therefore, another second tier loan is the best option for all parties involved, with Cresswell’s market value in need of improving with game time, and the player himself in need of development.
He has shown his quality before with Millwall but will need to do so again if he is to ever have a long-term future at Elland Road.
Cooper’s departure signifies the end of an era at Leeds United, with the club poised for a summer of change. Alongside Cooper, Dallas and Cresswell represent players whose futures at Elland Road hang in the balance, as the club navigates the complexities of squad rebuilding and strategic planning for the seasons ahead.