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Good Morning. it's Tuesday 15th August, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road.
Will Leeds gamble with late splurge into the loan market
As far as Leeds fans are concerned, the Summer transfer market has been one way traffic at Elland Road, and yet, the max exodus continues. We may be stuck in the Championship, but it just doesn't sit right with the Elland Road faithful that we are losing our best talent on the cheap, to the likes of Everton and Bournemouth. In fact, its more difficult to digest than a Big Mac meal!
Last week Joe Rodon became Leeds first loan signing, and with four (loan) slots still available, more are expected to arrive. In the past, clubs were able to sign loan players up until a month after the transfer window closed, but FIFA have now closed that loophole.
Traditionally, top clubs make their fringe players available in the final weeks of the transfer market, but with just over two weeks of trading available, are Leeds pinning their hopes on picking up last gasp bargains? Nobody can fault the signings that have been made thus far, but the number of outgoings far outweigh those who have arrived at Elland Road, leaving Daniel Farke's squad seriously depleted.
The Championship is long and arduous, with over 50 matches expect to be played up until the visit of Southampton on May 4th. The number of players already sidelined with injury is a huge worry, yet the hierarchy have still not reached for their wallets!
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Why isn't integration working
The one positive of relegation (if there was such a thing) was that the Elland Road faithful would get to see the exciting crop of young talent explode on the Championship scene, but for whatever reason, it hasn't materialised, yet!
Leeds Utd worked their socks off to gain Category One Academy status back in 2020, becoming one of only 27 clubs in the Country to share the honour. Their quality of coaching, equipment, facilities and strategic development, made them one of the best Soccer Schools in the Country.
Sonny Perkins, Joe Gelhardt, Lewis Bate, Kris Moore, Jeremiah Mullen, Kristoffer Klaesson, Joseph Mateo and Darko Gyabi have all shown ridiculous amounts of talent in their respective age groups, yet integrating them into the first team line-up is a totally different manner.
Charlie Cresswell's loan move to Millwall last season has done him the world of good, whilst Archie Gray looks certain to carry on the family tradition at Elland Road; but for every player that makes it at Thorp Arch, there are many more who fade into obscurity.
Do Leeds send these youngsters out on loan to get first team experience, or will the lack of depth in the squad force Daniel Farke to throw them in at the deep end?
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Hjelde on the move
Leo Hjelde is set to complete a £1.75m move to Serie A side Salernitana this week according to the Italian press.
The versatile defender has slipped down the pecking order after the arrival of Sam Byram, prompting Leeds to cash out early on the 19yo. He joined the Whites from Celtic two years ago, for a fee in the region of £1m, plus add ons, but has failed to make much of an impression on Daniel Farke. He spent the second half of last season on loan at Rotherham, notching up 888 minutes over 13 games.
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