I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas. Here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Brereton Diaz back on Leeds radar Ben Brereton Diaz is back on Leeds radar, and it's about time. The highly talented Chilean forward is on target to equal the 22 goals he netted last season (10) and also has three assists to his name. His versatility will appeal to Marsch, especially with the amount of injuries Leeds have had over the past 18 months. He has just six months left on his contract, which suggests a fee of around £10m should be enough to pursue a move across the Pennines. Blackburn are currently third in the Championship table, five points behind Sheffield Utd in second place. The last thing they will want is to lose their Talisman halfway through the season, but £10m - £15m goes a long way in the Championship. They could use the money to strengthen their squad, but the transfer window is short, and Leeds have a reputation for leaving deals to the last minute. At 23, he is at the ideal age; old enough for first team football, but young enough that his price tag can continue to soar. please log in to view this image Meslier is in demand Representatives from Bayern Munich have held talks with Illan Meslier’s agent ahead of the January transfer window. The Leeds shot stopper, who narrowly missed out on selection to the World Cup with France, has been in fine form, since initially joining the Whites on loan during the Summer of 2019. They made the move permanent twelve months later, paying Lorient £5m. Now, at the age of 22, Meslier is considered one of the best young goalkeepers in the World. Meslier’s agent Yvon Pauliquen has reportedly rebuffed Bayern Munich's advances, telling the German giants that his client's preference is ‘destined in England’. Does this mean Meslier is happy at Leeds or could it suggest that a move to either Old Trafford or Stamford Bridge may be on the cards in the foreseeable future. In the unlikely event that Meslier is sold next month, do Leeds have adequate cover in Robles and Klaesson to keep them up. please log in to view this image Pundits predict easy win for City Former players, now pundits Chris Sutton and Mark Lawrenson have both predicted an easy win for Pep Guardiola's Manchester City when they visit Elland Road on Wednesday. The Champions of England are currently five points behind current pacemakers Arsenal, and will be desperate for three points. Leading bookmakers Bet365 agree. Citeh are just 2/7 for the win, whilst an unlikely Leeds victory give odds of 8/1, or 5/1 for the draw. According to Mark Lawrenson :- "Erling Haaland will be champing at the bit and Kevin De Bruyne wasn’t at the World Cup for very long so Manchester City are in good shape. "I’ll go 2-0 to City in this one, a straightforward win. Leeds will give a load of effort and application but no, no surprises here." Chris Sutton believes Citeh will steam roll Leeds, predicting a 4-0 scoreline:- "Manchester City put out a strong team against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup on Thursday and they looked like they meant business in their first game back. "I like the way Leeds play, and they always seem to have a spell in every game where they are on top, but they rarely do it for 90 minutes and that worries me when they are up against a side as good as City." "There will be a great atmosphere at Elland Road - I always loved going there as a player, and it is the same now I go to work on games there for 5 Live - but that won't help Leeds much here." please log in to view this image
Ben Brereton Diaz is a strange one simply because Blackburn wanted £25m last season and now only worth £10m as he now has only 6 months left. His club may not want to sell but will hate him walking away on a free in May, so will sell. However I get the feeling that the lad won’t budge until the summer so he can see who offers him the biggest signing on fee and salary. Its a lottery win for the lad in reality, yes he can move now and get a huge pay rise from his £8,500 per week now but in the summer he can get paid a fee plus £100k per week. I dont think he’ll move
The question is can Blackburn afford to take the £10million risk. Pro's and Con's for both scenario's Personally I don't think he will move unless the lad himself wants out. even under the circumstances If Blackburn keep him he could well get them a Prem place next season which will make that £10m loss look silly it could also mean a new contract for the player. is that a £10m risk worth taking? sure is on what they would gain If they sell they lose their star man which would hinder their promotion challenge also some of that £10m would have to go in a replacement anyway If he stays he could gain them promotion and bring the club silly money and possible keep him. If he leaves the club get a massive kick in the balls in their promotion challenge and will need to spend some of that £10m for a replacement anyway. Can Blackburn play a £10million pound risk Game? Do they gamble and possibly reap the rewards by doing so? or do they play it safe and continue life in the Championship with a little bit cash collected. I just see no sense in them selling for £10m in their current League position when they could of had £20-25m last summer. They obviously took the risk in the summer for £25m why do it now for £10m? but the lad himself could have a say too. lots of if's, but's, maybe's.
Good win for the Wall today but sadly Charlie Cresswell sat on the bench and Shackelton came on for the last 15 minutes
Poveda starts for Blackpool as a 10 today but Lewis Bate not even on the bus for Oxford so maybe injured?
Newcastle looking like heading to champions league football. Why did I let that idiot victor convince me to follow the Leicester model instead of the Newcastle one. And how come nobody recommended that Howe chap as a coach to me
Dan James gets another 8 minutes off the bench and super striker Roberts gets 12 minutes at the end for QPR
Excuse me. I’m including my January spends for past three seasons and promise faithfully I’ll match those figures this season. Can’t be fairer than that
Gakpo to Liverpool after he confirmed we were close, De Paul just won the World Cup with Argentina also, apparently, close, Gvardial, about to go for a world record fee for a defender if the stories are true, confirmed close, Raphinha, £40 million profit after two years, Bayern talking to Meslier’s agent. Either Vic is better than I am led to believe on here or one of Doc, Phil Hay or the Fab fella are a dammed good scout Let’s hope he (Vic not Doc or Phil Hay) has a couple more up his sleeve that everyone will cry about if/when they leave
