With preseason officially starting today and fans extremely excited for the new season, I got the opportunity to speak to flying winger Jordan Botaka about his first season and the next.

Botaka had a mixed season in which he was in and out of the match day squad. One thing that he is hoping to change this season. The talented winger definitely has the skill and drive to be a real star at Leeds United and here's hoping that he gets his opportunities this season.

Below is the interview; Enjoy!

After your first full season in England, how do you think it went?

After a decent start against Middlesbrough, Birmingham and Brighton I was a bit unlucky that Mr Rösler got replaced. Mr Rösler really invested time in me and the team to play offensive football.

After the change of manager we started to play other systems and adapting to opponents more than play from our own qualities. Because of that we sometimes played without wingers or only one. So many times I was left out of the squad due to that although I gave everything at training.

Luckily the supporters and my team mates supported me in that difficult period. That motivated me to keep going and I got to finish the season strong and be important for the team a.o. against Hull away.


Was it nice to receive such support after your appearance at home vs Wolves?

That gave me a big motivation. During the season the fans always cheered and sang for me, even when I wasn't in the squad. That's really incredible. Unfortunately my first touch landed on the cross-bar and I couldn't reward the fans for their believe in me instantly. I was very content with that win because it was the closure of a difficult period.

As preseason is about to start, I got the opportunity to speak to Ronaldo Vieira ahead of a vital season in his Leeds United career.

The talented midfielder has been spoken about a lot over the past months, with plenty of fans excited to see how the Guinea-Bissau born midfielder will feature in Garry Monk's new squad.

There's no doubt we are expecting big things from Ronaldo, who came from the illustrious i2i Sports academy after leaving Benfica some years ago.

I remember speaking to his agent when Ronaldo was a mysterious player who had been involved in a development squad friendly and from then on, it was clear the young lad had a bright future in football.

We have now spoken to Ronaldo on several occasions and I can once again say that he has been happy to answer our questions in the run up to preseason, where he could be heavily featured in the first teams plans.

Here's what he had to say:

​We'd first like to say congratulations on signing a two-year deal with Leeds, how did it feel when you signed the contract?

It was a great feeling to sign my first pro contract. It has been my dream to play professional football and this was too.


Did you expect to be placed in the squad for the last game of the season?

No not at all. In the week leading up to the game I trained with the first team, but I had trained with the first team on previous occasions and was not expecting to be selected in the squad. It was a huge surprise.

With summer recruitment apparently starting, Leeds need quite a players to complete our squad, with both additions and cover needed to give us a sizeable squad.

Garry Monk will surely be assessing what is needed in order for a good season and will be highlighting key positions that need strengthening within the coming weeks.

Monk is a man that seems like he'll do his homework before making any decisions on who to add, but it looks like he's already found one position he'd like to strengthen.

According to widespread reports, including the YEP, Monk is after a British based keeper to be between the sticks next season. With reports linking the club with both Lee Grant and Lee Camp being touted as potential suitors for the number one spot.

Although I do think Silvestri could do with being replaced, I don't think either keeper is good enough for the number one spot and I'd rather see young keeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell given the chance over them two.

Other positions that could do with a few added signings are; centre-back, left back, attacking midfield, wingers and a forward.

There's quite a few positions, but if the club are to challenge for promotion, improvement is needed in a lot of areas.

For the left back we are desperate for cover. Charlie Taylor nearly played every game last season and at times you could see fatigue creep in. If we are going forward, we need someone to come in and give the Player of the Season some rest in a busy schedule.

As for the other positions, here are a few players that could really add to our game and give us not only a strong side, but impact from the bench.

Isaac Hayden

The young Arsenal midfielder is set to be available this summer rather on loan or permanently after not being able to force his way into Arsene Wenger's plans.

Not only is Hayden versatile, giving strength in depth in both midfield and defence, he is strong and powerful on the ball and will make a good replacement for the departing Liam Bridcutt.

The 21-year old spent a fantastic loan spell at Hull City last season and helped the club win promotion, something he could do for us too.

​Seb Larsson

The talented Swede's time at Sunderland is all but over and he will be looking for a new club once he has finished his international duty this summer.

Linked with a move to Leeds already, it seems Monk is very interested in bringing the 31-year old to Elland Road.

Versed in both central midfield and wide roles, Larsson adds something different that Leeds don't have at the moment, top flight experience.

There's no doubt Larsson could give some of the young lads at Lufc a few lessons in winning big matches and how to progress further in their careers and he could be seen as an older head to bind the dressing room.

The talented Swede is also a fantastic technical midfielder, with a range of passing and set pieces that could amaze Leeds fans and cause havoc for Championship defences.

Dan Bentley

The Southend stopper has now left on a free transfer and is now looking to find a new club this summer.

Linked previously with a move to Leeds on two separate occasions including Cellino himself going to watch Bentley last season, Leeds could yet revive their interest in him.

The 22-year old may seem young to take up the number one spot at Leeds, but with over 140 appearances under his belt and a promotion with Southend on his CV, he could be exactly what Leeds need between the sticks.

Kieron Agard

Another player that was linked with a move to Leeds that eventually fell through.

After a bid was accepted from Leeds for the forward, he decided to join Bristol City instead and at the time, who could blame him? Bristol City were flying through League One and ended the season with a double, all we could offer him was a mid-table Championship finish.

Agard adds bags of pace and dynamism to our front line and can be deployed as a second striker or as a right sided attacker in a 4-3-3 formation and is not afraid of scoring, with 15 goals in his first season at Ashton Gate.

The pacey 26-year old hardly featured last season and with Lee Johnson set to revamp his squad this summer, his casualty could be our gain.

He's not a big fix, but a player that could come in on the cheap and definitely add something from the bench.

Tommy Elphick

Currently linked with a move away from Bournemouth, Elphick was instrumental in the club reaching the Premier League in their fantastic promotion season.

With bags of promotion experience and a cool head, the 28-year old could be a signing that completely turns our side around and would be perfect to lead the line in defence and Marshall in Monk's new defensive strategies.

The former Brighton man is set to enter the peak of his career and he could be perfect to partner with rather Bamba or Cooper as Leeds look to make Elland Road a fortress.

Matej Vydra

Fresh from a loan spell at Reading and looking increasingly uncertain about his future prospects at his parent club Watford, Vydra is surely available to leave the Premier League side this summer.

A perfect partner in crime for Chris Wood, Vydra is capable of finding ample amounts of space and would be there for when Wood knocks the ball down.

Vydra is a player that needs to prove himself and Leeds could be the perfect place for him to come good.

An impressive 16 goals the season Watford were promoted proves he can make it in the Chanpionship and with a strike partner like Wood, we could have one of the deal first strike forces in the league.

Grant Ward

A Tottenham Hotspur youth graduate, and we all know that youth at Tottenham is something to savour right now.

Ward spent last season on loan at Rotherham and was extremely impressive during his time in Yorkshire, making over 40 appearances.

The 21-year old is more than capable of playing all across the midfield and further forward and would be a great player to come in and fill gaps when needed.

A dab hand at creating space in the oppositions half and getting the game going, Ward's turn of pace and ability to shoot from long range could be a welcome addition in the Leeds midfield.

​
So there are a few picks who could make a big impact for Leeds next season. If we could make any additions like some of the players above, we could be looking at a fantastic squad come August.

Let's hope Monk gets more of a free reign in the market and gets some game changers for us.

Next season needs to be the big one for the lads!

M O T

By Ryan Ingham

Although we haven't been informed where we're going or who we're playing, preseason is just around the corner for Leeds United and this ones a big'n.

The club are at a crossroads at this current time, we have a youthful squad, talented and capable of big performances and a fantastic manager that is eager to prove himself.

That combination is one that we've been dreaming of for some time and promotions have been won for less.

This in total, means this preseason needs to be a big one. We need to hit the ground running and really push to start the season on a rich vein of preseason prowess.

We need to be arranging games against clubs who can challenge us, not just based in the UK, but abroad. We don't need to beat a second rate team 17-0 to prove our ability, we need to play lower end Europa League teams and see how we fettle.

Teams like Ludogrets or Rapid Vienna could be the perfect way to pick out our best performers and games at home to the likes of Sheffield United and Rangers could really get bums on seats at Elland Road.

​Now to the squad. We already have a talented squad, even if it is a little short of numbers and no new signings have been arranged.
To my count, we have 22 first team players, just over enough to fill a squad. This however does include three goalkeepers, the torrid Tommaso Bianchi and youth players like Lewie Coyle and Ronaldo Vieira.

There's no doubt we need some reinforcements, but there are fringe players in the squad that could yet come good under Garry Monk.

Lee Erwin started to show his potential when he featured at the back end of the season and at only 21-years old, he still has time to grow. I'd expect that the young Scottish forward will be eager to impress under his new boss.

There is also forgotten man Caspar Sloth and although it was said he could be a 'Rosler type of player' the same can be said under Garry Monk. The former Swansea boss is a big fan of playmakers who can dictate play and I'd expect Monk to give Sloth his chance before August.

Finally, their are players that are currently in the youth ranks that could be set to feature this preseason. The aforementioned Ronaldo Vieira has been touted as one of the next players to be a star at Elland Road and will definitely be in Monk's plans for preseason.

​His technical ability and versatility are meant to be some of the best at Thorp Arch, with many people stating he is a star in the making for the Whites.

Other youngsters who may be set to feature this preseason are;

Tyler Denton: a flying left back who has the talent and knowledge to be an instant backup for Charlie Taylor this season.

Jack Vann: a young centre-back who has already been touted as a future England defender and who is a big character in the youth setup.

Tom Pearce: a left sided midfielder or defender who has both goals and assists in his game.

​Eoghan Stokes: the striker that was promised. Stokes has been a fantastic talent for the youth squads and looks to be ready to make the step up to the first team squad.
Henry Rollinson: a right midfielder who can also play central. Technically gifted with a footballing brain that surpasses his young age.

Overall, we could see a few new lads come in to the squad this summer even if signings aren't in abundance. Although it's not a break the bank £5million+ signing, I do love a young lad coming through the youth ranks to star in a white shirt.

Here's to the Whites having a fantastic to preseason and starting the season that promises everything off well.

On On On to July!

By Ryan Ingham

With clubs starting to reveal their retained lists, plenty of clubs will find some real gems in the unwanted masses.

There's definitely some bargains out there that Leeds should be taking notice of the players that have now become available as the Premier League retained lists have been announced.

There's no shame in bringing in players for free, the Calibre of player that now is available on the free market is phenomenal and it's about time Leeds looked into beating clubs to some of the best gems searching for new clubs.

Below is a lot of players that are now available on free transfers who could really add something to our currently mines use squad.

​
Victor Anichebe

The former Everton striker has finally departed the Baggies after three mixed years at the club and will be hoping to reinvent himself at this new club.

Although he's never been reliable for goals, he's still an imposing forward that can create chances and bring other players into the game.

He's a player that could do well with Chris Wood, giving the Aussie space to drive th a all forward. He is also great in the air, so the pressures off Wood when it comes to crosses.


Stephen Sessegnon

The talented midfielder was since linked with a to the likes of Arsenal and Manchester United when he was tearing up the Premier League for Sunderland.

Another player to leave West Brom after falling out of the first team, Sessegnon's ability on the ball and versatility could be a major bonus to our currently limited squad size.

Predominantly an attacking midfielder, Sessegnon could slot into the role straight away and push Cook back to his more suited central midfield role.


Stephen Fletcher

Another striker, but one who can score goals when on form. Fletcher is one of the best players to be available on a free transfer this summer and could be a star in the Championship.

The big man up top would still do a great job in the Premier League, but in the Championship he could be a player to push past 20 goals a season with ease.

His neat finishing and special awareness could be a real bonus to our squad and he'd definitely add another dimension to our game.


Gaston Ramirez

The talented playmaker has never fit in at Southampton and was farmed out to Middlesbrough in January.

In his spell at Teeside Ramirez scored 7 goals and was a major part of the club's promotion push and clearly knows how to play in the Championship.

Another attacking midfielder that would be perfect for the No.10 in a 4-2-3-1, Ramirez has the ability to dictate play and create scoring chances, something we are crying out for.


Jamar Loza

A virtually unknown but a fantastic prospect that has surprisingly been released by Norwich City.

The young Jamaican forward has bags of pace and knows his way around a 6-yard box, two things that we could do with adding to our squad.

Loza may not have had the best spell at Southend United and at the age of 22, he really needs a chance to show his skills and is worth a gamble.


Ryan McLaughlin

An unheard of youth that was said to be the next big thing for Liverpool.

McLaughlin can play anywhere down the right and is blessed with both pace and defensive sensibility.

The 21-year old could be perfect cover for Gaetano Berardi and Lewie Coyle along with giving us a second option on the right side of the midfield.


​Nick Powell

One player I would love to see at Leeds United strutting his stuff.

Powell has suffered since joint scum and the shithouses' across the Pennines have ruined a fantastic prospect in the young attacking midfielder.

The 22-year old is able to play as an attacking midfielder, central midfielder and a striker and could be the perfect player to come in and add a bit of flair to our squad.

A former successful partnership with Luke Murphy could see the pair reunite to terrorise Championship midfielder to now end, something that should excite everyone.


Adrian Mariappa
​
With Crystal Palace conceding so many goals last season, it's a shock that the Jamaican defender didn't get many chances this season.

Brute strength, experience and versatility, Mariappa has everything that we are currently begging for at the heart of the defence.

There's no doubt that Monk will look to make additions in defence, with only three recognised centre-backs currently at the squad and Mariappa could be the perfect addition to add some sensibility to the squad.


​Steven Pienaar

The South African midfield maestro might be past it to some but I still think that he has a good season left in him and why not at Elland Road?

Not only would Pienaar give us an option as a winger, but he can also play in the centre of midfield and dictate play.

A big risk at the age of 34 and only six appearances to his name this season, his tenacity to not give up and Premier League experience could be a major addition to the squad.