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Why Sean Longstaff is set for first Premier League start since November 2025 for Leeds United
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- Why Sean Longstaff is set for first Premier League start since November 2025 for Leeds United
Sean Longstaff could finally have earned another starting chance at Leeds United.
Having signed from Newcastle after promotion to the Premier League, he started well at Elland Road.
A regular in midfield under Daniel Farke, he pitched in with some important goals throughout his first season.
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Injury would disrupt Longstaff's progress, though, opening the door for others to step in.
Ao Tanaka took that chance alongside Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach, and that has continued into this season.
That could be until now.
Why could Sean Longstaff start vs Bournemouth?
Things don't get much easier for Leeds as they travel to the Vitality Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
After a slow start, Bournemouth are once again starting to hit top gear under new head coach, Marco Rose.
So, it's great news that Noah Okafor and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are back to 100 per cent after some injury issues.
The negative is that Stach is still struggling with a foot issue that left him on the bench at Sunderland, where he did come on.
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Farke also confirmed Joe Rodon's return to individual training, as he closes in on a return, with Nico Elvedi also now fit.
But, where does that leave Longstaff?
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Harry Wilson and Brenden Aaronson both started at Sunderland, but were nowhere near good enough.
They do get a small pass given the conditions in Storm Boelo, but not enough to start again so soon after.
Okafor will likely return on the left alongside Calvert-Lewin, leaving that right-hand side where Stach usually plays open.
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While not his traditional role, Longstaff could be perfect.
With Bournemouth likely to keep possession and build pressure, having Longstaff in an advanced midfield role ahead of Tanaka and Ampadu creates a great defensive and pressing dynamic.
He proved to have that attacking instinct at Sunderland, and should have scored, if not for a quality Robin Roefs save or Lukas Nmecha blocking his goalbound effort.
Having not started in the Premier League since November 2025 against Aston Villa, Longstaff could finally get his shot again on Saturday.
