Leeds United Set to Decide Future of Loanees Manor Solomon and Joe Rothwell: A 2025 Season Recap……

As the 2024-2025 football season draws to a close, Leeds United are facing pivotal decisions regarding the future of two key loanees in their squad: Manor Solomon and Joe Rothwell. Both players arrived at Elland Road in search of vital playing time and the opportunity to showcase their talents, but with their loans set to expire at the end of the season, the club’s management now finds itself weighing its options for next season.

This article takes a deep dive into the performances of Solomon and Rothwell, assesses their impact on Leeds United during the 2024-2025 campaign, and explores the possible paths the club might take in shaping their future.

Manor Solomon: The Israeli Spark

Early Career and Loan Move to Leeds

Manor Solomon’s loan move to Leeds United was seen as a significant coup for the club, considering the Israeli winger’s previous performances in the Premier League with Fulham. After a stellar season with the Cottagers in 2023-2024, Solomon had garnered attention from several top-flight clubs, but it was Leeds United who secured his signature on a one-year loan deal in the summer of 2024.

Solomon, at 24, was expected to bring pace, flair, and a direct style of play to Leeds’ attack. Known for his dribbling skills, excellent vision, and ability to score crucial goals, the winger’s arrival was greeted with optimism by both the fans and the coaching staff. Leeds United, who had been working hard to build a more competitive squad after their relegation battle the previous season, were hopeful that Solomon could help provide the attacking threat they needed to secure their place in the Premier League and push for mid-table stability.

2024-2025 Campaign: A Season of Growth and Adjustment

Solomon’s 2024-2025 campaign started off somewhat slowly, as he adjusted to the tactical nuances of manager Daniel Farke’s high-pressing system. In the early stages of the season, he showed glimpses of his potential but struggled with consistency. Farke, known for his high-energy, possession-based style of play, required his wingers to not only be dangerous going forward but also to track back and contribute defensively, an aspect of the game that took some time for Solomon to fully adapt to.

Despite these initial challenges, Solomon’s impact began to grow as the season progressed. By the end of 2024, he had become a more influential figure in the squad, contributing with key goals and assists in important matches. His partnership with fellow attackers, including Dutch striker Crysencio Summerville and summer signing Luis Sinisterra, flourished as he became more comfortable in his role.

Solomon’s ability to cut inside from the left wing, create goal-scoring opportunities for teammates, and take on defenders with his pace and agility became a hallmark of Leeds’ attacking play. His performances in matches against mid-table rivals, such as against Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers, were particularly notable. In those games, he demonstrated his ability to unlock stubborn defenses with intelligent runs and precise final balls.

In total, Solomon contributed eight goals and seven assists in the 2024-2025 Premier League campaign, an impressive return that underlined his growing importance to the team. His contribution in crucial moments helped Leeds secure vital points, especially during their midseason surge, where they moved into the upper half of the table and established themselves as a solid Premier League outfit.

Future Prospects: Can Leeds Make Solomon’s Move Permanent?

With the loan spell nearing its conclusion, Leeds United are now facing a critical decision regarding Solomon’s future. His form has certainly been impressive, and his performances suggest that he could be a key asset for the club moving forward. However, the financial considerations of making the move permanent, as well as potential competition from other Premier League clubs, will factor into the decision-making process.

Solomon’s loan deal included an option to buy clause, but it remains to be seen whether Leeds will exercise that option. Given his strong performances, particularly in the second half of the season, Leeds could look to negotiate a permanent transfer. The primary obstacle, however, is the reported transfer fee of around £20 million. With the club still recovering financially from their relegation and focusing on balancing the books, this could be a significant hurdle for Leeds.

Should Leeds choose not to pursue a permanent deal, there will likely be significant interest from other clubs. Premier League teams, as well as clubs in Italy, Germany, and Spain, have been keeping tabs on Solomon throughout the season, and a bidding war could ensue if he is made available for a permanent transfer.

Joe Rothwell: The Midfield Dynamo

A Move from Bournemouth and Early Expectations

Joe Rothwell’s move to Leeds on loan from Bournemouth in the summer of 2024 was somewhat less high-profile than that of Manor Solomon, but it was equally important to the club’s plans. Rothwell, 25, had spent the previous seasons in the Premier League with Bournemouth, and while he wasn’t always a regular starter, his performances were often praised for their energy, work rate, and technical ability. Leeds United, who had been looking for a box-to-box midfielder to strengthen their engine room, saw Rothwell as a perfect fit for their midfield needs.

Rothwell’s strengths lie in his ability to break up opposition attacks, drive forward with the ball, and create opportunities from deeper positions. His work ethic and adaptability made him an ideal candidate for Farke’s system, where pressing and quick transitions are key.

2024-2025 Campaign: A Role in the Engine Room

Rothwell’s integration into the Leeds midfield took time, as Farke experimented with different combinations in central midfield. Alongside the likes of Adam Forshaw and Tyler Adams, Rothwell had to adjust to a more possession-heavy style compared to the more counter-attacking tactics that had been employed at Bournemouth.

The early part of the season was marked by inconsistency, as Rothwell struggled to impose himself in matches. However, by midseason, the 25-year-old began to find his rhythm. His passing range, ability to break lines with clever through balls, and relentless pressing became more evident, and he started to show the quality that had made him a standout player for Bournemouth in the previous season.

One of Rothwell’s most impressive performances came against Liverpool in early 2025, where he played a pivotal role in disrupting the opposition’s attacking flow. His tireless work in the middle of the park, coupled with his ability to drive forward and support the attack, was key to Leeds earning a 2-1 victory over the Merseyside giants. In that game, Rothwell won numerous tackles, intercepted passes, and even contributed with a crucial assist.

By the end of the 2024-2025 season, Rothwell had become a mainstay in the midfield. He had made 32 appearances in all competitions, scoring three goals and providing six assists. While he wasn’t always the most eye-catching player on the field, his contribution to the team’s overall play was undeniable.

Future Prospects: Should Leeds Keep Rothwell?

Rothwell’s loan deal also comes with an option to buy, though the financial details of this potential transfer remain unclear. Leeds United are likely to face similar dilemmas as they do with Solomon: how to balance the player’s on-field contributions with the financial feasibility of making a permanent move.

On one hand, Rothwell’s consistency and work ethic have made him an important figure in Leeds’ midfield, and his presence has helped stabilize a previously inconsistent central area of the pitch. On the other hand, there are other areas of the squad that may need prioritization, particularly in defense and attack, which could make the club hesitant to commit to a permanent deal.

However, with Rothwell’s adaptability and the growing trust from the coaching staff, there is a strong chance that Leeds will look to make his stay permanent. It’s likely that his future will depend on whether the club can negotiate a reasonable fee with Bournemouth and whether Rothwell himself is keen to remain at Elland Road.

Conclusion: Key Decisions Await Leeds United

As Leeds United prepares for the 2025-2026 season, the club faces crucial decisions regarding the future of two important loanees, Manor Solomon and Joe Rothwell. Both players have shown their quality over the course of the 2024-2025 season, and their performances will be key factors in determining whether the club opts to make their loans permanent.

For Solomon, his attacking contributions and flair have been evident, but the financial challenges and competition from other clubs may complicate matters. Similarly, Rothwell’s industriousness in midfield has helped stabilize the team, but his future will depend on Leeds’ long-term plans and the financial aspects of a potential transfer.

With the 2024-2025 season nearing its end, Leeds United’s management faces a critical juncture. The decisions made regarding Solomon and Rothwell will play a major role in shaping the squad for the seasons to come.