Good Morning. It's Monday 18th April, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Dest tipped for Elland Road Summer move Several media outlets are reporting that Sergino Dest is on Jesse Marsch's wish list. The 21yo currently applies his trade with Barcelona, but the Catalan Giants have made it clear that he is not part of their future plans. They hope to capture Lewandowski this Summer, and have dangled the young American as bait, but the German Champions don't seem interested. Dest, although only 21, already has 17 senior caps for the USA, and had represented Barcelona almost 50 times since his €21m fee (plus €5 add ons) from Ajax almost two years ago. Raphinha may yet come into the equation. Xavi is keen to bring the Brazilian Superstar to the Camp Nou, but finances are tight for the La Liga outfit. Dest is wanted by Roma. It is suggested a fee of around €14m would be enough to secure his signature. Do Leeds need to invest in another right back this Summer? Is Cody Drameh ready to take over from Ayling, and if Leeds do sign Dest, does that spell the end for Drameh? please log in to view this image Rodrigo has become the team's talisman under Marsch Leeds United journalist Beren Cross has hailed Rodrigo's transformation under Jesse Marsch. The 31yo record signing has been in inspirational form recently, scoring three from his last four appearances, and creatively, being at the centre of most of their attacks. Cross claims that the turn around in Rodrigo's form was due to clear-the-air talks he had with Marsch upon his arrival. The Spanish International has been given more of a free role under the Americans guidance, and therefore has been able to express himself more freely. "Rodrigo was a record signing at his lowest ebb when he was hooked at half-time in the Villa disaster. Those clear-the-air talks with Marsch transformed him. Three goals in four and now the team's talisman in this run of form. Even has a new song". please log in to view this image Orta has constant craving for Lang Leeds may reignite their interest in Club Brugge's winger Noa Lang. The 22yo was heavily tipped to join the Whites on several occasions in the past couple of seasons, but according to Leeds-Live, Bielsa blocked the moves, claiming his defensive duties were lacking. Leeds Director of Football Victor Orta is a big fan of Lang, who, since his interest in the Dutchman, has won three International caps for Holland. Lang netted 14 times, and claimed 8 assists last season, helping Brugge win the Belgium First Division A title. In 27 starts this term, he has so far netted 7 times, with 11 assists, and has a 'WhoScored rating of 7.15, higher than any Leeds player this season. please log in to view this image
Rodrigo has been superb for Leeds in recent games but I think the upturn in his form has more to do with wanting to be included in Spain’s World Cup squad than anything else. At his age it’s his last chance to play on the world’s biggest stage and he knew he had to up his game. Better late than never I guess but earlier would’ve been better.
Morning all No more rejects from Barcelona thank you, if Raphinha wants to leave lets get maximum for him and sign players we want or have previously scouted. I read a couple of articles over the weekend suggesting Bielsa was overly critical about signings, turning down talent that had the wrong attitude (I think a few of us had already guessed this) the suggestion was Marsch would handle these players better. I am not surprised the Noa Lang link has resurfaced I expect a few more might too, my question would be does Marsch need wingers, he likes to play a lot narrower? Assuming we are in the Premier League next season... I would cash in on Rodrigo, Llorente and any one of two from Harrison or James, I would see what I could recoup from Firpo and then if we could raise any funds by selling Shackleton and Roberts they'd be on the way out too To balance this Gelhardt, Summerville, Cresswell and Greenwood promoted to the first team squad and then we spend the money on key areas.
Why does almost every footballer linked to Orta have to be a winger? Are journos so thick? Yes we wanted Lang, yes we enquired about Cornet, but we bought Dan James. We also have Harrison, Raphinha, Poveda, Summerville, Amari Miller, McKinstry, Costa. Miller and McKinstry will remain in the U23s and Raphinha will probably leave which means we have James, Harrison, Poveda and Summerville to move on before looking at another winger. Poveda and Costa must be sold too? Lets also remember that Marsch isnt a fan of out and out wingers. He prefers a half winger like Rodrigo or Aaronson and a winger like Harrison playing narrow. So to accommodate Lang who is a brilliant player there needs to be movement elsewhere. James for example is no striker and in theory should be the natural replacement for Raphinha. Lang could play in the middle and lets also remember that it was the new Man Utd boss who told Lang “I dont care that you singlehandedly scored 2 goals and won the match, but you didnt follow my orders so you can fk off out on loan” he sent him to Belgium with a €5m release clause which his new club snapped up. Orta was then quoted £20m 7 weeks after they bought him. New Man Utd guy is going to cause to problems for the lazy, unfit, highly paid posseurs
Seems the players have had a long weekend and some like Raphinha have visited his mate Naymar in Paris and watched yesterdays game where Naymar scored… wonder if PSG now also wanting Rapha?
Afternoon all. Seems our players are having plenty of R&R days over the last month or so. Hopefully that doesn't come back to bite us in the bum when we need them fit and focused for a difficult run in. Interesting week ahead with Burnley having 2 home games before we play Palace next Monday. They'll certainly need to beat Southampton on Thursday and it's a game I'd fully expect them to win. If they can then follow that up with a point against Wolves they'll be back in touch with both Everton and ourselves. The Toffees play Leicester (h) on Wednesday and then have the merseyside derby (a) Sunday.
So sir Arthur conan doyle wrote books as we all know. What i want to know and without using google is.... Which position did he play and for which football team.
Same win odds currently for Burnley in their next 2. Even 1 win cutting the gap to 5, will put a bit of pressure on for Palace away. Everton actually favourites.
And Everton actually play Leicester again 3 days after they return from their semi final against Jose's Roma in Rome. Not sure you could pick 2 better weeks to be playing the Foxes.
Must be an Everton-Leicester thing, remember in 2017 they played on a Sunday 4pm ko at Goodison, 3 days later they're in Madrid for a massive CL 1/4 final against Atletico.
Think its worth mentioning that Carlos Corberan looks like taking the dogs into the Championship play offs. He may even beat Bournemouth to auto yet as only 2 points off 2nd. Remember that Huddersfield have serious financial problems, so no mean feat doing it on a shoestraing
Apparently he’s tweaked the Bielsaball system he used last season and has now ditched man marking as the players weren’t comfortable with it. They used to concede a lot of goals but since the change they’re a lot more solid.
Let's see if they get promoted first Matt. Luton also doing fantastically which is an even more incredible story should they make it to the PL.
Championship throwing up Dogs, Forest and Luton in place of lubs who should have been punching upwards like Swansea, WBA, Sheff Utd, Boro, Blackburn and Stoke. Lets see where Dyche ends up
Dyche could yet end up as Leeds manager if things don't work out with Jesse. If he gave us 6 seasons in the PL then there'd be no complaints from me
