Good Morning. It's Friday 7th January, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Leeds line up Wallace bid Leeds face competition from Nottingham Forest, Watford and Turkish outfit Besiktas for the signature of Millwall midfielder Jed Wallace. The 27yo has been on fine form for Gary Rowett's team this season, but as his contract expires in the Summer, the boys from Bermondsey are looking to cash in now. Media reports claim that Besiktas are trying to get Wallace to sign a pre-contractual agreement with them, the same way Galatasaray tried with Alioski! Wallace is a central midfielder, but can also play on the wing. In 20 appearances this term, he has netted six times, and has been credited with five assists. please log in to view this image Nahitan Nandez - That’s not going to happen Phil Hay has denied reports that Cagliari ace Nahitan Nandez is on his way to Elland Road this month. The 26yo Uruguayan International has been continually linked with a move to Elland Road for the last eighteen months, but allegations over his private life may have scuppered any deal which may have happened. Nandez was arrested on the 2nd January for (alleged) domestic abuse. Whilst the midfielder has not been charged, Leeds (or any team for that matter) are unlikely to pursue a player with a potential Court case pending. Speaking on the Phil Hay podcast:- “Inevitably, within about two days of the transfer window being open, Nandez had been linked,” “Let’s not get into that because I don’t know the full details but something is going on.” “That’s not going to happen. I don’t think that’s one they’re into.” please log in to view this image Has the FA Cup lost its magic The lure of the FA Cup was once considered the pinnacle of the Football League, but as time has progressed, the magic has all but disappeared for many. Whilst it would be nice to have the trophy in our cabinet, most would swap a place in the fourth round for three points! Has the Cup lost its magic? Do you care if Leeds progress to the next round? please log in to view this image
Morning me Hearties!!!! Jed Wallace - if he is cheap i.e. less than 2 mills and on U23 salary, ok why not but as a major signing I would prefer to sign Gromit. Nandez - Seems as though he would be the right sort of player but I really don't think he is going to come to Leeds, it's a click bait story, a bit like Smith coming back. FA Cup - I honestly can't say it interests me, not anything to do with me getting paid millions to watch the game. It's just that to make it a Club needs to be in the PL long term and so I'm not that bothered by the FA Cup as it doesn't helps in that ambition and could be seen to be an obstacle to that goal.
Eric has it right on Wallace…. Who? Nandez is probably going to Inter Milan as they tried to get him in the summer but greedy owner wanted too much money, now they need it and Inter are set to sign him. Nandez is however a Bielsa type player as hehas been one of the best midfielders in world football. He is the Swiss Knife type player who can play top football in many positions. RB, RW, LB, LW, DM, AM he is an international quality version of Dallas and getting someone like him isnt cheap. Thee other top midfielder we are linked with Kamara from Marseille will also end up in Italy as Roma and plenty more clubs in Italy and Spain want him. He will choose a CL club over Leeds you can bet.
This FA cup trip to east London could be a boost for the seasonor we could treat it like Crawley….. but: We have the U23s playing WHU on Monday, so why not send a huge squad down onSaturday Play Llorente on Sunday with Roberts if fit Start with Gelhardt on Sunday and swap at half time for Bamford, and do the same on Monday We may see Struijk on Sunday or Monday Firpo to start Sunday along with Ayling but swap for Drameh or visa versa Try some minutes with Lewis Bate on Sunday but play him Monday too Put out a strong U23 team on Mondayinvolving Drameh Hjelde, Greenwood, Summerville, Gelhardt Fernandez, Miller, Bate Jenkin, McKinstry, McGurk….
The whole squad needs game time Doc. We've only played once since 18th December so why would anyone need a rest ?
Morning i think Bielsa will put out his strongest side. The u23s are now meaningless to Leeds as seen the other night. Bielsa likes to keep his players fully fit so i say go for it as a cup run will bring money in.
I’d rest Raphinha for the cup, and that’s it. Would’ve done the same with Llorente but as he’ll miss the following week’s league game through suspension he’ll get a break then.
Thats whi I couldnt understand why we didnt send out our strongest U23s the other night as Gelhardt, Bate, Greenwood, Summerville, Drameh have hardly played more than a few minutes for months, and Bamford needed some minutes too
Apparently we're paying our playing squad something in the region of £100 million per annum. That's rather expensive given if we lose this game they'll only play a maximum of 40 games this season. Let's just let them get on with their jobs of playing football.
That won’t stop our lot getting injured. I remember when we signed Ferdinand for a then record fee for Leeds. He did his knee ligaments in resting his leg on his coffee table
Villa sign Coutinho and if he does what he used to do he will keep Villa away from fighting at the bottom. Newcastle sign Englands best right back and plenty more players coming in. Watford have signed a new Brazillian defender and more expected, Everton have so far spent £34m on 2 new players but more expected. Southampton have just had a takeover and money promised for players. Palace looking to buy a new top striker and Brentford have put a bid in for 2 players, and Brighton have already done some business So far Leeds, Norwich and Burnley have done nothing 3 of the teams named above are relegated
