The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 15th October)

Good Morning. It's Friday 15th October, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road


Raphinha steals the show

Raphinha's fairytale start to his International career continued after helping himself to a brace during Brazil's 4-1 win over Uruguay in the early hours of the morning. The 24yo registered four shots, all on target, as well as a key pass. He missed out on his hattrick after being substituted twenty minutes from time. The one position Brazil never run out of is forwards; the fact Raph has broken into their senior ranks proves what a special player he is! He was awarded a 9/10 ranking; the same as Naymar.

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Deco - Leeds wanted Raph for another season

During an interview earlier this week, Raphinha's agent Deco revealed that whilst the Brazilian is happy at Leeds, there will come a time that he moves on to a bigger club. He further indicated that Leeds wanted him to stay this season, insinuating his client may be sold next Summer!

"There are certainly many clubs interested in him," "Liverpool do like him and there were some approaches, but nothing official. Leeds wanted to keep him for another season. "Raphinha is happy at Leeds, but there will certainly come a time when he wants to take a step up in his career and move forward. He has three years left on his contract, but there's nothing in it that states how long he must stay for or that prevents transfers.

"Leeds are aware of that and will want to sell him for a big sum, while Raphinha will end up progressing in his career. "There's a market for Raphinha and Leeds have very high expectations. There's never been a rush in terms of the project. "He's ambitious to play at a higher level, despite Leeds being in the Premier League, but it's not the right time (to talk about that) and that's not what he's focused on. Things will take their course naturally."

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Has Leeds inactivity last Summer pushed the likes of Raph and Phillips closer to the exit door?

Whilst we're all appreciative of what Andrea Radrizani has done for our club, many can't help thinking that the knock on effect of a poor transfer window (last Summer) shows a lack of ambition. Leeds were riding the crest of a wave, and had the tools (in the shape of investors queuing up and the guile of Victor Orta) to move to the next level.

Unfortunately it was not meant to be! Whilst producing and nurturing some of the best talent in the World, in the shape of Phillips, Raphinha and Meslier; all want to be playing at the highest level, or at least at a club showing aspirations of European football. This prompts the question, has Leeds inactivity in last Summer's transfer window pushed our stars closer to the exit door?

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Morning all

Happy Birthday Bucks

 

Many Happy Returns Bucks!!!!!!!!!

 

Morning all and happy birthday bucks,

Assuming, and only assuming not accepting, that we sell Raphinia in the summer and get £80 million how would you like to see the money reinvested?
One £80 mill superstar replacement? Two £40 mill star replacements or four £20mill good players?

Assuming the defence is not somewhere we need to worry about next summer I am leaning towards a couple of £40mill players.
One centre mid to play alongside Phillips and a replacement for Raph himself.

Partner this with the normal transfer money the club would spend to strengthen anyway and thev further growth of Geldhart, Greenwood, Summerville & Bate I see us having a squad to challenge for Europe next season.

 

Thanks everyone!

Raph is simply class. We wont hold onto him and I think we all accept that's the business model, hopefully just for the short term but what a treat it is to see him in our colours when we have had the likes of Jimmy Kebe in that role

 

After Raphinha's superb performance for Brazil plus Kalvin deservedly being player of the year for England we could be looking at close to £300 million in incoming transfer fees.

The key though, if following the Leicester model, is to only sell one star player each summer. You then have that summers transfer pot plus the large fee you've received to upgrade the squad.

So for the next three summers we could spend around £200 million each transfer window.

The team which won the Championship has reached the end of it's cycle so stalwarts like Cooper, Klich, Dallas & Ayling are all in need of replacing. Factor in the talent in the U23's and we should be aiming to build year on year now for the next decade. This hopefully will secure the long term future of the club as we look to redevelop the stadium.

It's an opportunity that has to grasped with both hands as we simply cannot afford another spell in the football wilderness.

 

Orta has so many fingers in so many pies, I'd be happy with 4 x 20m players. Saying that, what is Raph's real value? Strikers tend to get fetter fees than midfielders and defenders.

 

Happy Birthday Bucks, hope you have a messy day.

 

Happy birthday Bucks. Rapha was proper class last night and added extra value to his expanding transfer tag. Ain't talking transfers as it's October we got a few big months coming up and these big players need to perform at their max for us.
Inactivity has hindered us maybe so but we are in a good place. Players that are coming to the end of there cycle have paid their way and owe the club nowt and the players beginning their cycle or in that cycle most are blossoming.

 

Bit disappointed Bucks as I noted you replied 40 minutes ago and sound sober stiil? Bucks its Friday and you are usually leathered by 11am but perfect storm today as birthday and Friday? You should, be ****faced already. Have a good one mate

 

Pissed by eleven, oh that brought a tear to my eye.

 

A very happy birthday bucks and what a lovely sunny day it is.
I have had my begging letter from the govt asking/pleading with me to get behind the wheel. So after 24 weeks off it's back to Hermes Tomorrow.
We should not sell our best players but buy two good ones. Midfield and maybe a jack of all to replace dallas. Klich can go and Ayling too.

 

I doubt Phillips and Raph thought we'd be in a relegation battle, we need to push on and do it quickly otherwise we'll lose our best players.

 

me and the hip flask are off to basingstoke right now

 

Relegation battle???

 

I think £300m is a little optimistic. Half that maybe. The sentiment/strategy is correct though.

To answer the point of what to do with £80m... I'd be going more for the 4x£20m model... upgrades in the areas identified above, all younger, not the finished article, some will shine some will disappoint hopefully 1/2 will become the next Raph or KP.

That strategy used to work a treat for me on football manager. Easy business this running football clubs.

 

If you bid £80m for a player, they’ll demand a worthy wage. I’d prefer us to stick to £20m to £30m with the likes of Noa Lang bringing in three players or even four you can risk one or two not making it. Very hard to call because Costa cost us £15m which gave us zero return, always a gamble and it depends on if we still have Bielsa to develop that talent

 

Relegation battle. Meaning in football (soccer). Definition. Wiki ...

Relegation battle is having to make a great effort not to be relegated. It can refer to a match with another team who might also be relegated

 

Oh that relegation battle. Not sure what its got to do with Leeds and Raph & KP mind.

 

I was being pedantic