I did ask at the start of the season why people thought that the U23s who couldn’t shift the first team players out when in the championship would suddenly be good enough to do so in the premier league with little to no playing time. Will be interesting to see if Struijk keeps his place once all are fit or if Cooper is back for the next game.
There does seem to be a pattern emerging that the players currently in the u23's who look to have the most chance of breaking through are the ones who cost money. Gelhardt, Greenwood etc. Cresswell may prove to be an exception to this pattern (as was Phillips) The players who have been at Leeds since a very young age usually fall by the wayside, either loaned out or sold for small fees to lower league sides. Shackleton will probably join this list. Probably the same at most clubs tbf.
The players suggested who can play for the 1st team were bought in the Summer and were not here in the Championship. The only ones where here who I believe will be good enough are Cresswell, Huggins and Kenneh. So Greenwood, Gelhardt, Drameh and Summerville are top players and another we paid cash for but is an U18 player is Charlie Allen and he is already getting U23 game time. He reminds me of Strachan. But there are plenty who are out on loan who I believe will be binned or loaned out again in the Summer. Jordan Stevens has really screwed his career up?
This may be controversial but have said it before: If we were to be relegated you could see that a lot of our best players would be sold for cash. We would then build a team around whoever was left alongside Greenwood, Gelhardt, Drameh, Summerville, Gotts, Shacks, McCalmont, Bogusz etc its almost like we had a cunning plan just in case, but also means we are forced to get rid of a lot if we stay up
Any word yet on what's up with Coops? With the limited knowledge I have, I think he may be out with covid. A few clues: * We were told last minute that he was out. Failed test? * We've only been told that he was ill - Leeds policy is not to mention Covid. Ever. Not even a mention of a bug, upset stomach etc. Just ill. * He's been dropped from the Scotland squad & desperate has-beens are in his place. Normally if it's a regular, short-term illness like a bug, they'll still call you up if you can possibly make 1 of the 3 games. They didn't. His 'illness' seems expected to be longer than a couple of weeks. Not a lot to go on, but enough for a conspiracy theory! My worry is that if I am right, he might infect other key players. Thoughts?
I heard he was around someone who had it last week and declared it to the club. So at best he will be self quarantining until he shows a few negative tests and at worst he catches it and is out sick. That would also mean however that a lot of players would be testing and testing and testing to make sure they didnt catch it from Coops. I think the former is more likely otherwise I think the club would have postponed Chelsea
WJ Steve Clarke just confirmed he had spoken to Liam Cooper and he said he could be available for the 3rd game but would not make the first 2. Clarke decided to leave him out as he wouldnt be available until the end of March. Covid obvs
The reason for suggesting Nketiah is that we have created, but missed the third most chances in the entire Premiership behind Citeh and Liverpool. Nketiah knows where the back of the net is.
Doesn't do the work up front for us though does he? Would work as a player off of the bench but doubt we'll be spending that money on someone to sit on the bench. Doesn't fit and was just a makeshift option for a season which turned out to be half of the season. I think we could get better value and more suited to our team from the 23s or from a European club.
More controversy from me today, but unless Roberts has another bloody good game on Friday he can go fk himself. He has not once put 2 decent games together and he is supposed to be a striker and yes Bielsa is hoping he makes it as a No10. We debate Roberts and we debate Gelhardt but my vite is with Gelhardt. Roberts has been a pro since 2016 but in 113 games has only scored 16 goals. 16 goals in 5 years is just not good enough He hasnt scored for Wales yet either in 11 games He has represented this club 68 times and scored only 7 times. This is Leeds Utd and we shouldn't have to carry on making excuses for young players who are no longer that young. So if he screws up again on Friday I hope he realises that Bielsa has had faith in him and he has wasted his tume
Possibly has it but if the others had to self-isolate the Chelsea game would have been called off or more would have missed it. If he has got it he’ll be kept clear of the rest.
The view of Football Fancast on Gelhardt In Premier League 2 this term, the teenage prodigy has bagged eight goals and three assists in 14 appearances, via Transfermarkt. Unlike Rodrigo or Roberts, he’s a true centre-forward, so he’s surely the natural replacement for Bamford should he miss Friday’s match. Gelhardt has made Bielsa’s bench five times but is yet to taste his senior debut, so clearly, he’s a player who is well thought of by the Leeds boss. Indeed, the Argentine waxed lyrical about his young forward, telling reporters last month: “He’s a player that always creates danger in a game. He’s a player who’s more linked with the finalising of chances rather than the creation of them. He has resources to beat an opponent and he has a final shot, a finish that is very good.”
no chance he starts joffy if bamford’s out doc... it’ll be Roberts/Rodrigo. It’s just not the bielsa way Gelhardt will get a run out in a dead rubber when the game is already won or lost. just how it is!
Keep watching how this guy does as he tends to do the same job that Bielsa left https://www.coachesvoice.com/jorge-sampaoli-marseille-chile-marcelo-bielsa/
I get that and Agree, but as soon as Roberts starts firing blanks he needs replacing and yes Rodrigo could go up top and replace him with a midfielder, but Gelhardt can play 10 too and he loves a fight so not going to be pushed around
Get haaland thats what we need , im sure he would come to leeds at a cut price deal due to his dad playin for leeds .
