Good Morning. It's Wednesday 29th December, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road We need to be humble and realistic of our means In an article written this Morning by Phil Hay, 'The Athletic' journalist applauds Leeds for wanting to replicate the Leicester City business model, and insists that the Whites need to be practical, and live within their means. The importance of stability is also a critical factor. Whilst the Foxes have had to part with some of the biggest stars in order to balance the books, they would only allow one 'major exit' per transfer window, and only when it suited them. Hay also confirmed that Leeds have had no contact with Bayern Munich regarding the availability of Raphinha, but backs-up claims from recent media reports that Radrizzani is negotiating a new long term contract with the Brazilian International. Currently, Raphinha's contract runs until the Summer of 2024, and Leeds are keen that when they are ready to sell one of their biggest assets, that they get the best price "Leicester City’s attempt to operate as a rational selling club is based on two principles. The first is to bargain hard for a high or inflated price. The second is to pick the best time to trade. Their nerve in negotiating means players and rival teams often get the transfers they want but only ever on Leicester’s terms." "They were open for business but always with caveats: two others being that the summer was the window in which departures made the most sense, and no single window should see more than one major exit, which protests against instability." "Leeds were nonplussed by the claim, published by TNT Sports (regarding Raphinha departing for the Allianz Arena), because they have received no contact or approach from Bayern. On the contrary, they have been discussing a new contract that would improve Raphinha’s wage and extend his terms at Elland Road beyond their current end date of June 2024." In the week leading up to Christmas, Forbes magazine ran an interview with Radrizzani discussing his ownership of Leeds, his partnership with minority stakeholder 49ers Enterprises and his outlook for expanding in an uber-competitive English league. He touched on Leeds’ strategy of player recruitment and accepted that somewhere down the line, they would potentially cut their cloth. Radrizzani spoke of selling “maybe one or two key players and (buying) other talents coming up, like Leicester did. We need to be humble and realistic of our means so we grow gradually, step by step”. please log in to view this image How important is Sunday's game Burnley visit Elland Road on Sunday will be about a lot more than local bragging rights according to many on Social media. The Clarets, like their West Yorkshire adversaries, have had a poor start to the season, and languish in 18th position, two places, and five points behind the Whites. Due to an outbreak of Covid, Sean Dyche's men have not kicked a competitive ball since the 12th December - a goalless draw against West Ham. That changes tomorrow when they visit Old Trafford. Although Leeds have a five point advantage over Burnley, Bielsa's men have lost two more games than Burnley and have an eleven goal inferior aggregate! Is Sunday's game a must win? Would a draw suffice? Who wants Manchester Utd to win tomorrow night? please log in to view this image Leeds not interested in Nketiah According to Phil Hay, Leeds are not interested in rekindling their relationship with Eddie Nketiah. The former England U21 ace spent five months on loan at Elland Road during the first half of the 19/20 season, but due to a lack of game time, the 22yo (now) was recalled! Hay was also asked about Saints midfield ace James Ward-Prowse. "Ward-Prowse is a terrific player who will surely move on from Southampton eventually. The sort of player I’d like to see at Leeds. From what I’m told, Leeds don’t intend to go back for Nketiah." please log in to view this image ER Board were not happy about selling Jansson, but felt they had to back Bielsa It has been revealed that the Leeds Utd board were not happy about selling former fans favourite Pontus Jansson to Brentford for 5m, but felt they had no choice but to back Marcelo Bielsa. The two reportedly fell out following the Leeds v Aston Villa game (April 2019) after Bielsa ordered his players to allow the visitors to walk the ball into the net. The Swedish International made a half-hearted attempt to challenge for the ball. This incensed Bielsa. The writing was on the wall a month later following the play-off Semi Final against Derby County. Jansson had returned from injury, and was upset not to be playing, although fully fit, and made his feelings clear to the Argentine. According to Phil Hay:- "Bielsa wanted him gone and Brentford’s offer was the only one on the table. It worked out but it has to be said that the board were anxious about selling him for £5m. They just felt they had to back Bielsa." please log in to view this image
Good morning Pontus should have stayed. He is a far better player than cooper. So he showed some passion and did not like Bielsas decision. Bielsa not man enough to accept that but the fans did. To follow the foxes model we have to actually reach their level first. So what the hell is rads on about. Burnley is our chance to gain some points and a win is a must.surely the time we had off will be in our favour. If our players look jaded once more and have no fight then i will know Bielsa burnout exists. I believe his intense training methods are the reason for so many injuries. As for signing tbis window you can forget it. Expect more square pegs in round holes as per normal.
Italian Striker Insigni (30) has been offered an £11.5m net per year 5 year contract and a £5m signing on bonus by Toronto. Thats some retirement fund and all after tax. Thats a total of £65m in his back pocket tax free. So looks like he is turning down Inter Milan and Spurs to go play in a joke league, well done football you just broke the game again
Still lots of stuff coming out about the Big Kev deal 2 years on. It now turns out Nantes who banished him to train with the kids, is still struggling. He actually came off the bench a fortnight ago for the Nantes C team in the 4th tier of French football. He then started the last 2 games in this league but not completed 90 minutes. He hasnt scored a goal since playing for Monaco back in 2019. FIFA made a preliminary finding in favour of Leipzig but went on to say the decision still has a way to go. Leeds are fighting it on the letter of the contract and Leipzig argue about good-will, which FIFA know will not stand up in a court of law. When the final ruling is given its expected to be a compromise deal but Leeds expected to go to law due to the player never getting fit, cannot get fit and the reason why he is still not fit enough to play senior football. There is still months to play out in this drama and Leeds do not have to worry about paying Leipzig anything this season……. If ever
Pontus decided to not do what the manager asked. Hardly surprising that he was moved on, even if he was a good player. Berardi had to grab hold of him and shout at him after the Villa 'goal', and Berardi is as passionate about his playing as Pontus was. The team got the memo, Pontus decided to ignore it.
Bielsa is the law and any player who refuses to obey or question him is history. Phillips subbed off early - no funny looks or sulks. Klich comes on as a sub and then subbed off - no sulks or tantrums. Pablo subbed off - throws the armband and kicks a water bottle, bye bye Pablo. 2 infringements 2 transfers Last game I saw Klich refuse to look at Bielsa when subbed off and he shrugged Bielsas hand off him. Maybe Klich is on his way now too
That is the one time that I disagreed with Bielsa and still do. He will also not make that mistake again.
Does that mean if klich is still here till season end he does not play. Pablo was frozen out by silly bielsa and we could be a player down and don't need that.
To be honest I still feel that both Berardi and Hernandez would have been better staying for another season to give us that strength in depth that we require, due to all the injuries we keep having.
Problem is that Berardi was i jured with an ACL and out of contract, to give him another contract we would have had to take a huge gamble and have a high insurance premium. Pablo seemed to be in 3rd gear and not able to up bis output or game and again he wanted to leave last Xmas and was upset that we kept him to the summer even though he was under contract
I really hope we end up having to pay nothing but whichever way you look at it we still look bad. The transfer has all the markings of a classic panic buy with no due diligence done whatsoever. Totally amateurish. Makes Brolin look like decent signing in comparison. At least fat boy was an established international and had a decent World Cup.
He was very fat though. He made JKA look like a stick insect. I agree with Doc about Pablo but I would have liked to have kept Berardi for another year. Whether he'd take a 1 year contract I don't know but he bled Leeds.
I agree with that but how many players and coaches fall out. It must happen every day. It was poor Management that Jansson was kicked out. We probably would have beaten Derby had Pontus played....
Leeds were two goals to the good (led 1-0 from first leg), when we conceded four with Jansson left on the bench.
