Good Morning. It's Thursday 30th December, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road. It's touch and go Leeds striker Patrick Bamford has rated his chances of taking part in Sunday's crunch match against Burnley as 'touch and go, The 28yo forward returned to action after a two-month lay-off against Brentford nearly four weeks ago. His 20-minute cameo role came to an abrupt end after netting a 96th minute equaliser. News soon spread that Bamford had tweaked his hamstring during his goal celebration, and would face another spell on the sidelines. According to the Leeds No 9:- “It’s touch and go for Burnley. I’m feeling good. I’ve hit every marker that’s been laid down so far day to day, so it’s been a good improvement. It’s not a few weeks away. It’s very close.” please log in to view this image Does Bielsa have one more season in him? Whilst the first half of the 21/22 campaign may not have gone to plan for Leeds, much can be blamed on lack of investment, and the unprecedented waiting list for the treatment room. Leeds find themselves in the mire, with only three wins from eighteen, and on course with a relegation dog fight. From what we know of Bielsa, he is a proud man that would rather take responsibility himself than make excuses. The dedication and loyalty he has shown Leeds since arriving at Elland Road in 2018 has melted the hearts of even the most hardened of Leeds fans. The pressure's of Leeds predicament must have definitely taken its toll on the 66yo, and whilst he continuous to be idolised by the Elland Road faithful, week in week out, is it better he bows out as a legend at the end of the season, or would you like him to stay until the Summer of 2023? please log in to view this image Leeds should sign Barkley on loan - McLeish Former Scotland Manager Alex McLeish believes Leeds should sign Chelsea midfielder Ross Barkley on loan in January. The versatile midfielder has only played 436 minutes of first team football this season for Thomas Tuchel's team, yet has picked up two 'Man of the Match' awards. Barkley is still only 28, and has a lot of football left in him, especially as he has been used sparingly since signing for the West London outfit in 2018. According to McLeish:- “It’s just about him getting regular football because there’s a bit of inconsistency about him. “I would have thought a player like that could enhance Leeds, so yes, get it done. “You should only take loan guys if they’re extremely shrewd business. You need to be targeting the right players. “If there’s a player available for loan then you know his parent club are not playing him too often. That is problem number one. “Problem number two is how do you get the quality loanee in and where are they? That’s where it comes down to the recruitment team.” Given the choice, would you rather sign Ross Barkley or Aaron Ramsey on loan next month? please log in to view this image Quartet could return to action this weekend Leeds journalist Beren Cross has disclosed that Pascal Struijk, Daniel James and Junior Firpo should return to action, as Leeds face Burnley at Elland Road on Sunday. Whilst Struijk and James have overcome their respective injuries, Firpo missed the clash with Arsenal due to a one match suspension for picking up five yellow cards before the New Year. The trio will hopefully be joined by Patrick Bamford who has a race against time to get match fit! please log in to view this image
Morning all, Struijk and Firpo coming back are the two most important factors this weekend if you ask me. Put Struijk at CB with Llorente and Ayling can go back to RB with our first choice lb also in place. For the first time in a long time we would have a back four where every player is in their natural position. This allowing Koch to fill in the Kalvin role and Dallas to fit in wherever he is needed. With James and Raphinia out wide with Roberts or Bamford up top suddenly we look like a strong starting eleven.
Ramsey is on a huge wage. I believe its close to 200k a week. That rules him out as it may upset the rest of the squad and set a precedent. Barkley is too hit and miss. We may as well wait on Rodrigo than pay for Barkleys wages. Neither will do for me.
Absolutely agree. Just getting a bit of structure back will be massive. Llorente, Struijk, Koch and Ayling will be hugely important dealing with the aerial bombardment too.
Ross Barkley is hot, cold, cold, cold. Hardly ever on it and even Tuchel with injury problems refuses to use him much. Not fit enough for Bielsa and not focused enough. Failed everywhere hes been. Ramsey great player but on way over £200kpwk and would never last the pace under Bielsa… Lets just see if Orta has found another gem or are we going to gamble that our injury crisis is over and wait for the summer
I think we have the quality if we get the injured players back. The only position I feel we need someone immediately is central midfield. That's a necessity if we are to survive as Klich, Rodrigo, Roberts, Dallas just have not cut it this season at all in midfield. I'm struggling to find just one game between them where they have excelled. Can't find one.
I would love to see Ramsey come in for the second half of the season but Juventus would definitely have to pick up at least half of his wages. Barkley does not have the right mentality to be part of this group. There is a great player in there and Bielsa is probably the right person to bring it out but his mindset means we won't take a punt on that happening.
When we play teams with real quality in central midfield they've totally outplayed us this season, we are desperate to get someone with real quality in, whether that is someone who as already got it or one with potential who knows, could well depend if they can sell Costa to Valencia who we get.
No to Barkley, and Ramsey is crap, the most overrated player that played in the prem as Juve have found out.
Fellas dropped a bollock on the Chelsea v Liverpool game on Predict 6, put Liverpool as the home team, anyone already predicted please amend your score
Looking at Burnleys aerial stats, it'll be even more of a miracle if we score from a corner. We must have the lowest conversation rate for those.
Have mentioned this before but the player I'd like to try and sign is.... Donny Van De Beek. Forget his scum form as he's never beeen given a proper chance but for Ajax he played 118 times and scored 28 goals and also featured heavily as Ajax reached the CL semi-final in 2019. Klich's record for us is similar (138 games & 21 goals) but Van De Beek at age 24 is a massive upgrade in my humble opinion.
Think £35 million might get him on a permanent deal which is what I'd prefer. Wages definitely could/would be an issue.
