Good Morning. It's Friday 4th September, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Klopp - Brewster will not be sold this transfer window Liverpool Manager Jurgen Klopp has told leeds that Rhian Brewster will not be sold during this transfer window. The news come as Leeds were about to launch an audacious bid to bring the talented 20yo to Elland Road on a permanent deal. Unfortunately for the Whites, the England U21 International has impressed the Liverpool hierarchy that much, that they now have first team plans fore him. Different media sources have identified four potential alternatives, all of which are apparently realistic targets. The favourite is Brentford striker Ollie Watkins. He scored 26 goals last term,and at 24 years of age, should only get better! Chelsea reject Michy Batshuayi is also reportedly to be on the ER radar. His miserably spell at Stamford Bridge has seen the 26yo being loaned out each season since his transfer in 2016. With first team plans for Rhian Brewsters, striking partner Divock Origi should move down the pecking order. The 25yo made 42 appearances for the Reds last term, mainly from the bench. He netted 5 times. Bookies have placed Leeds as bookies' favourites to sign Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke. The former Liverpool and Aston Villa forward could be let go for around £7m. please log in to view this image Late Pre Season friendly organised for this weekend Leeds will face Portuguese side Paços de Ferreira in a pre-season friendly at Thorp Arch on Saturday, according to Renasenca. The Portuguese outlet reports that the friendly will be played behind-closed-doors at 1pm on Saturday. The UK Government recently removed Portugal from its list of countries with travel restrictions, meaning teams from the two countries can now face each other. please log in to view this image Leeds Utd away top on sale NOW... The Leeds Utd away jersey goes on sales from 9am this morning. What do we think? please log in to view this image Concern growing over Bielsa's contract With just over a week until the Premier League kicks off theoretically Leeds could find themselves Managerless! Marcelo Bielsa is out of contract. He and his team could walk out on Leeds any time he wanted! Obviously having fought tooth and nail to get them to the promised land, that is not likely to happen. Even for somebody of Bielsa's pedigree, it must be an honour to manage in the Premiership. The Whites have been negotiating with Bielsa and his legal team back in Argentina, and although close, there seems to be a couple of sticking points. Leeds want Bielsa to sigh a two year deal whilst the Argentine is instistant, twelve months at a time is plenty. The West Yorkshire side have done everything that is expected of them. They continue to identify players on Bielsa's wish list, and bring them to Elland Road. Radrizzani has actually gone one step further. Di Paul was not even on Bielsa's wish list. Radrizzani targeted the Argentine International himself! To be honest, I don't know how Bielsa will see that? please log in to view this image
Things never seem smooth at LS11, Bielsa messing about with the signing of a contract with only one week to go to the start of the season is not professional, unnerving for the club which means everyone, players, staff and most important of all the supporters. If I had been Radz I would of said Corberan can go once you have signed the contract, if he decides to GTF back to Argentina then we would have at least had someone in place who knows the system, training methods etc. Radz is a good Chairman, done all he has been asked to do, so Amigo needs to sort this and settle things down.
Rodrigo De Paul was on the list but thought impossible. Radz made the opening and they were given a green light to have a chat. Leeds are the only serious buyer up to yesterday even though Fiorentino had asked about him in January. De Paul has some of the best stats in Seria A but for one of the top clubs to go for him would mean they would need to offload a so called superstar and De Paul has already said wherever he goes he wants to be the main ‘Director of play’. In other words he wont like being on the bench. Also many Italian clubs are struggling due to Covid. If we pull this one off it will eclipse the Rodrigo deal for price and marquee status.
Good morning everyone With just eight days to go, till were thrown in the lions den, the most important thing is that were settled, get that twelve month contract out and get it signed, then take it from their, one season at a time. I know it's exciting times ahead and how the board would want a two year contract, but is it really worth the risk of upsetting Bielsa for twelve months? i don't like the feeling of having a gun pointed to my head, but i can see Bielsa's point of view of which some of it is family orientated. So please radz let's not run before we can walk, you have done a great job thus far, so don't throw it away, give Bielsa his twelve months or whatever else it takes to sign.
One thing we all need to remember is that Bielsa is a unique character and is a man of honour. He is pedantic in the extreme and my understanding is that everything is done its just the back and forth between the club and his brother in Argentina or Chile wherever he may be at the time as his brother deals with it. This is an actual point made by Bielsa in the contract negotiations, and shows the level the mans brain works at: I think you should pay me more money when we lose because my job is very hard then because I hate losing so because my job becomes harder I should get paid more. Winning is easy so should get paid less............ now he wasnt being totally serious but that gives an idea of what he thinks about.
Morning all, So assuming Koch won't be starting at Liverpool, who'll play alongside Cooper? Struijk? Casey? Ayling? Don't fancy any of those combos against that lot tbh.
I really don't understand the point of the bloody things, i really don't, especially in these times,Domestic football should take priority to generate much needed income for some clubs, get the domestic season's back on track & then if needs must, throw in some internationals.
Koch and Rodrigo should be back on Monday or at latest Tuesday to training so hopefully enough time to get into the squad for Liverpool. Rodrigo could start at Liverpool with how lively he looked in last nights 90 mins. I am slightly concerned over the Bielsa contract however he's been taking training so to him I can imagine he is staying. We're also providing what he's asked for and more. Not sure how much I believe about the 2 year contract, its probably more to do with Bielsa taking training and all the analysis he is doing is taking up all his time at the moment and he would rather do that in this short pre-season that sit in a room taking videos/pictures and signing some paperwork (That's what I am hoping anyway). I don't think we'll be after another striker with Rodrigo, Bamford and Gelhardt. I think it'll be De Paul or another CM, CB/LB and a GK if Kiko goes.
Safe to assume this will be the lineup for the opening game at Liverpool: Meslier Dallas Ayling Cooper Douglas Phillips Costa Hernandez Klich Harrison Bamford
Watching Rodrigo last night I was struck at his movement and energy he really is a different class. He creates chances and 2 he forced last night he should have scored both. However he was Johnny on the spot almost every time Spain attacked. He tackles back and is a Handful for defenders as he drags them all over. He will complete more chances than Bamford and he will love the number of chances created for him under Bielsa. i think Koch will start against Liverpool and Rodrigo will come on to replace Bamford in the 2nd half. I also think we will sign a winger/midfielder to take over from Pablo. That could be De Paul but we wont wait too long so it could be Harry Wilson, Benrhama or a player from Europe but thats the missing piece of the jigsaw now. Gelhadrt will get game time this season off the bench because hes too good to hide in the 23s.
http://sportwitness.co.uk/leeds-uniteds-board-dismisses-several-transfer-rumours-players-named/ It’s claimed that in contact with La Nación, Leeds United’s board dismissed rumours about the transfers of Juan Foyth, Lucas Martínez Quarta, Thiago Almada, Nicolás González and Pedro de la Vega. They also claim Udinese midfielder Rodrigo De Paul ‘wasn’t asked for by Bielsa’ and the rumours came from sources close to club president Andrea Radrizzani.
The word claims is doing a lot of legwork here Ell and as we know for a fact Leeds were talking to Gonzalez club and were serious in their offer to get him. So straight away the story is a bag of spanners. By the way it was the club owner who said Leeds were very serious and wanted him but we wanted more money. A lot more reports in Argentina have mentioned Quarto and Almada and even last night Almada still mentioned
If but maybe perhaps rumoured.. Reported.. Believed to have.. A source close to... To have come from... Sources sources sources an old lady up my street. Bielsas coffee barista and table wiper. Ali in the kebab shop who has a cousin who has a cousin has informed him of... All of the above are just rumour and possibly agent talk. So until the club announce a signing. But i have noticed my neighbours cat has started meowing in a different direction. In fact it is pointed towards Argentina and that's a fact.
The one fact thats indisputable regarding Rodrigo De Paul, Udinese have just had 2 freindlies and the club have used a huge squad of all players, except De Paul who wasnt present at either match. He isnt injured as all injured players were also present last night against Leganes. You have to assume De Paul is leaving, but to where
