Good Morning. It's Thursday 6th July, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Everton close in on Gnonto Everton are in pole position to snap up Italian International Wilfried Gnonto according to various media outlets. The 19yo is recuperating after the Euro's (U21's), and may not even return to Thorp Arch for pre-season training, if these rumours prove to be true. According to 'Calciomercato', the next few days will be decisive, as to where he ends up next season. Fiorentina, Monza, Sassuolo and Freiburg have all expressed an interest in the versatile winger, but according to his agent, he was to stay in the Premier League. Aston Villa and more recently Crystal Palace have thrown their hats into the ring, but for now at least, Goodison Park seems a more likely destination. Gnonto has four years left on his contract, which should ensure Leeds receive a decent amount of money for their prized asset. Everton value him at £17m, though some reports are quoting as little as £12m, whilst Leeds want double that. please log in to view this image Should Cooper retain the Leeds Captaincy Since arriving at Elland Road in the Summer of 2014, Leeds stalwart Liam Cooper has enjoyed a roller coaster of a ride. He caught the eye of then Director of Football Nicola Salerno during a pre-season friendly against Chesterfield, and weeks later joined in a £600,000 deal (plus £150,000 when Leeds were promoted to the top flight). He's gone on to make 246 appearances for the Whites over his nine year tenure. His leadership qualities both on and off the pitch earned him the Captaincy, an accolade he was given by his fellow players during Garry Monks time in charge, and he has kept hold of it ever since. Now, at the age of 32 (next month), injuries have caught up with him, and his pace is also a cause for concern. Last season, he managed just 1427 minutes of game time, half the amount of Koch, Meslier and Harrison; even Patrick Bamford enjoyed more game time. In his absence, Luke Ayling proved an adequate skipper, though in reality, neither could provide the kind of impact needed for a relegation fight? Tyler Adams would make an excellent Captain, but the chances of him still being at the club next season are remote. Should Leeds stick with the Cooper / Ayling combo, or look elsewhere? Should they be playing at all next term. Whilst there's a lot to be said for experience, collectively, they have the pace of a Leeds Utd takeover. please log in to view this image Leeds narrow down shot stopper search With Illan Meslier expected to leave Elland Road this Summer, and Joel Robles out of contract, Leeds have been busy drawing up a list of suitable replacements; but it seems they have narrowed down their search to two choices! Viktor Johansson (Rotherham) and Karl Darlow (Newcastle Utd) have continually been linked with moves to LS11 for several weeks. Darlow, at 32, may be a more experienced shot-stopper, but Johansson held the best stats in the Championship last season, saving 160 of the 216 shots he faced (74.07%). His performances were not just instrumental in maintaining Rotherham's Championship status, but he was also recalled to the Swedish National squad. Darlow spent the second half of last season with Hull City, helping them to a 15th place finish last season; and now looks destined to join a Championship outfit. Newcastle are keen to sell him, and perhaps do a deal involving Tyler Adams going to St James Park. Leeds temporary Director of Football Nick Hammond spent some time the January transfer window 18 months ago at St James Park, in a similar role, and helped stave off the threat of relegation. please log in to view this image
Morning everyone those who want out can leave. The way things are going we will not have a winger left from last season. Harrison is a certainty to jump ship. He might get a prem contract to line his pockets. Summerville ii just can't take to as he is a better player but has the wrong attitude for me. Indeed if his only ambition is to return to dutch football then that says it all. Gnonto to Everton just does not add up as they are skint. I expect him to leave as well and take argumentative attitude with him. Joseph has a bit of pace and so does rutter so could be used wider. When others start to leave i will then consider other positions.
The goalie needs to be the best we can afford and not just wages. If darlow is to be a make weight in a player deal i don't want him. I want to see the new owners stand up to other clubs and play hard ball. Players sales and loans to free wages will free up money. We have parachute money and a group of rich investors. Leeds are not skint and the likes of Norwich taking who they want from us is long gone.. Or it should be.
I read one article this morning that Everton believe they can get Gnonto for £12m, three times as much as what we paid for Rutter.
Gnonto must be mad to choose Everton, if the stories are correct, he should stay one season in the Championship with us, because let's be honest after his initial 6 games and the great display against Cardiff, he was really found out after that, all the potential in the world but a long way off the finished article yet and is Dyche the man to help progress his talent. Not sure about the Villa link, as they have their sights on Somerville. As I'm aware, Darlow as agreed a deal with us in principle along with one more but that was on the understanding the new manager wanting them, part of Farke's agreement joining us is that he's a manager not a coach, he wants a say in all new signings as he sees us as a long term project. As it stands there isn't a better leader at the club than Cooper, problem being he misses too many games, perhaps make him club captain but choose someone else as team captain but who, is the dilemma. As the squad stands I'd give it Wober, didn't like the fact Adams ****ed off on holiday when he was injured, not the actions of someone who as the club at heart, especially in the position we were In.
Morning all If we don't get the fee we are asking for Gnonto then keep him, I would have made Adams captain if we could persuade him to stay but Gessa makes a very valid point regarding him being on holiday when injured. I think Farke should wait until the final few days before the season kicks off and see who he believes best motivates the players My problem with Cooper was his lack of motivating the team when heads went down and I would hope he is on the bench more than the starting 11
The 'leadership team' of Cooper, Bamford, Rodrigo, Forshaw and Ayling failed massively the last 18 months. None of them should be considered leadership material. They should probably be all binned off if I'm brutally honest.
I saw Cooper motivating the players the year we went up (before quickly being told to leave by security ). To a man they were hanging on his every word. Maybe his leadership skills waned when we started to sign “stars” who thought they knew better???
Coops should be club captain maybe but not team, we need someone who is hopefully going to be on the pitch regularly and that ain't him depending on who stays but I'd go for wober.....gnonto is a current international and if he goes for less than 25/30 mill we need our bumps feeling but I'd feel his as well if he goes to everton, he should give us a season and if he does the business surely his stock will rise even more along with his wallet...herr farke will know who he sees as a good fit for a long, grueling season, with a couple of good signings and loans it'll be wunderbar
If we had stayed up I wanted Cooper, Dallas, Ayling, Forshaw all gone for good, but unfortunately FARKE needs some experience so he needs to look at Cooper and ask himself if he will be good on the bench all season? Same with Dallas and the others but for me none are starters
Gyabi is a tall guy and supposed to be good. This is his chance to prove himself. Costa is a puzzler for sure but for me he is too soft. Dan is a strange signing as he was krap at man utd.. Did no one watch him. It's one thing being fast but did he impress Fulham with his ability.
