Garry Monk has stressed that Leeds United cannot afford to sell their best players over the course of the summer transfer window.
The Whites have yet to sign talented youngsters Lewis Cook and Charlie Taylor to new contracts and the pair have consistently been linked with moving to Premier League clubs; the duo have just a year left to run on their contracts.
Leeds may field bids for Cook and Taylor over the summer and Monk was asked at his first press conference as Whites head coach today about whether the club will keep hold of their young talents.
"Of course, it's been renowned for years about the youth set-up here and bringing players through", the former Swansea boss explained.
"It's about keeping your best players. All of the squad right now have the chance to be part of the future", he continued.
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"There is a group there that I am ready to work with and can improve.
"I will identify what we need to add, but it's about keeping your best players."
Monk, who has put pen to paper on a one-year rolling contract at Elland Road, also claims he has had other options to return to the game since being sacked by Swansea in December.
"I've had other options, other people talked to me, but whether it was timing or it wasn't the right opportunity, I feel this is right for me", the 37-year-old said.
Monk will now put in place his backroom team over the course of the coming days, while also arranging Leeds' pre-season programme.
The club's players are, Monk says, due to report back for training at the end of June, giving him a six-week window to prepare them for the 2016/17 campaign.
