Good Morning. It's Tuesday 14th December, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Leeds closing in on Birmingham midfielder Multiple media reports are suggesting Leeds are close to signing teenage sensation George Hall. The 18yo central midfielder has already broken into Birmingham City's first team this season, and has over 500 minutes of game time under his belt. Leeds have already made at least two approaches for him this year (around £3m, but so far the Blues have rejected their advances. It is understood that following a failed takeover, Birmingham are in dire need of funds, and a bid of £4m may be enough to prise him away from St Andrews. Local news outlet 'BirminghamLive' are playing down the speculation though admit that every one of their players has a price tag, and with 18 months of his contract left, they need to start making decisions soon. "The connection will come as no surprise to Blues fans who, in the summer of 2021, have already seen Amari Miller taken from the first team at St Andrew’s & thrust into the Thorp Arch youth setup. BirminghamLive understands Leeds’ interest to be an indisputable fact, they are keen on a player who is viewed by many as the pick of the current Wast Hills crop." They have been in touch with Blues about Hall. However, Blues have responded to that interest with a firm "No, thanks". "They want Hall to stay at the club and at least have some form of protection in the fact unlike Miller, who was "between contracts", they still have Hall on the books for another 18 months and have offered him a new, improved deal. No-one at St Andrew’s is naïve enough to think that Blues are immune to any offer that comes in, whatever the size. The reality of the situation is that every player has a price and if their white socks are knocked off by the number put before them by Leeds they would be foolish not to countenance it." please log in to view this image Klich heading to DC After over five years of loyal service, and 192 appearances (24 goals), it looks inevitable that Mateeuz Klich's tenure at Elland Road has come to an end. Speculation that he will be heading to the United States next month to link up with Wayne Rooney's DC United are gathering pace, as the final pieces of the jigsaw are put in place. It has been rumoured that his cameo role against Elche may have been his last in a Leeds shirt, which if true would be a fitting tribute to the 32yo. His trademark edge of the box strikes have caused sleepless nights for many goalkeepers, none more so than Axel Werner (Elche's GK) who failed to get close to Klich's 25 yard screamer, which proved to be the winning goal on the night. Klich has been a fabulous servant to Leeds Utd, but has never quite been the same since returning from burn out towards the end of the 20-21 season. please log in to view this image Firpo assisting in Struijk's development Pascal Struijk has gone from back-up centre half (during the Summer), to first choice left back in a very short amount of time. Regular first team football has certainly helped in the development of the Belgium born defender, earning him top spot in the 'Whoscored' Leeds ratings (7.04), and a mouth watering new contract, tying him down to 2027. It is believed that the long term plans for Struijk remain are at centre back, but in the meantime is exstatic to have over 1100 minutes of game time under his belt. A vital part to Struijk’s development has come from advice from his team-mates, including Junior Firpo:- “Junior has played there for way longer than I have, so asking him and Bill (Luke Ayling), the players who play right-back, Stuey [Dallas], asking them for advice,” he said. “Now I've played quite a few games, so I'm getting pretty used to it and if I run into trouble I can always ask them.” “As a team, we are always happy for each other. Of course, there’s a wanting to play because every player wants to play, but no matter what everyone supports each other, even if they’re not in the team.” “It's a different position, it asks different things of you,” “You play much more one vs one, you're asked to go and attack way more, running up and down the pitch, playing one v one against great players. It is difficult, but it's a good challenge for me to have.” “I probably have to be [more agile and dynamic], playing against the good, tricky wingers. Physically, I am running way more up and down the pitch. “My high speed is probably more than it has been at centre-back, which is tricky sometimes, but it’s fun as well.” “Probably in the beginning my positioning [needed most work], getting in the right position because it's very different,” “You're the last guy and no one is behind you. “Whereas when you're the centre-back and you shift to the other side you have some cover and when you step in you have some cover from the other centre-back. You play one vs one in a big space and you're the last guy defending, which is tricky, but it's good for me as a challenge.” please log in to view this image
Firpo assisting Struijk. I’ve warned Jesse to keep firpo away from the first team squad and what does he do? He gets him coaching them. I’d better get Vic out of bed and down to the training ground and sort this mess out. Thanks for the heads up Matt. Only for you lot here, I wouldn't have a clue what's going on at the club, not that I have anyway
Firpo coaching Struijk, is basically telling him to watch video's of him playing LB and then telling him to do the opposite, working a treat.
George Hall is going to be a real prospect, but everyone needs to calm down he’s not ready yet. This season he has played in 18 Championship games, not played 90 minutes yet, his longest appearance has been 2 games of 75mins, but mainly a few minutes here and there coming on for the last 10 etc. so not going to be Klich’s replacement. on the subject of Klich, Milky doesn’t think Marsch is at fault for him leaving, well Phil Hay reckons different if you believe him: “And according to Hay, writing in The Athletic (14 December), Klich wanted to leave in the summer but was made promises by Jesse Marsch that now can’t be repeated as they never rang true”
Perhaps Klich wasn't good enough. You can only promise game time on the proviso he's good enough for selection.
Correct on George hall Re Phil Hay. This is the guy you rubbish all the time except on the occasions when it suits your argument What I said on klich… is that sometimes it’s just how things work out. There doesn’t always have to be someone to blame. I have also said that if marsch did make very specific promises to klich about game time - and didn’t follow through with that, then he’s in the wrong. I’d be surprised if he was stupid enough to do that without making clear caveats - but I wasn’t party to the conversations. What seems more likely in my view is that marsch wanted him to stay, told him he valued him and that he’d get minutes. Maybe he dangled more carrot and oversold the position. Who knows. But it seems klich was expecting more than he got and feels p*ssed that he missed the World Cup. But So we’re clear, and I don’t have to repeat myself again. If marsch made a firm commitment to x appearances and/or x minutes and then didn’t deliver on it, he’s out of order… and an idiot for ever making such a commitment.
Milky to make myself clear so I don’t have to repeat myself. When I said Marsch seems to have shafted Klich by not playing him, I also said he is within his rights to do that. Also when I quoted Hay this morning I followed it up with “If you believe him”, but obviously it doesn’t fit your narrative, well tough. I have said in the past that I believe Marsch has a problem with how he communicates and it seems clear he has shafted Klich and Drameh otherwise we wouldn’t be talking about Drameh leaving. Think you would be best just blocking me mate then you don’t have to read and critics every fkg post
Afternoon all With all his injuries I’m amazed Firpo has been on the training ground enough to offer advice to Klich
never blocked anybody doc, not going to start with you. Don’t have a problem with you, agree with a lot of what you post. When I don’t I say so. Block me if you have an issue. You’ve name checked me a few times recently so obviously I’m going to reply if you do that.
It seems Klich is being offered top money and 2 year contract with an extra year option. He will be a “Designated Player” I had to use google but here goes: The Designated Player Rule allows clubs to acquire up to three players whose total compensation and acquisition costs exceed the Maximum Salary Budget Charge, with the club bearing financial responsibility for the amount of compensation above each player's Salary Budget Charge. Cannot blame him for taking it as he would be 35 or 36 at the end of the deal, not bad for his family
