Good Morning. It's Tuesday 10th October, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Whites fans angered by Greenwood clause Leeds fan took to social media in their masses to voice their displeasure, after it was revealed that Middlesbrough have an option to buy Sam Greenwood for just £1.5m. The 21yo joined the Whites from Arsenal back in 2020, setting them back in the region of £3m; half paid up front, and the other 50% dependent on appearances. He was instrumental for the U21's and U23's, forging a deadly partnership up front with Joe Gelhardt, but, just like Joffy, found the integration to the first team more difficult, managing 26 senior appearances thus far. The general consensus was, that Greenwood would return to Elland Road next Summer stronger, fitter and more experienced, giving him a better chance of breaking into Daniel Farke's midfield next season. Giving a local rival the option to snap up an England U21 International for such a paltry amount has angered many, especially after such a difficult Summer, losing so many players either on the cheap or on loan. please log in to view this image Farke dismisses 'changing of the guard' speculation Daniel Farke has dismissed speculation that it's time for a changing of the guard, after both Luke Ayling and Liam Cooper were left out of the starting line up at beat Bristol City at the weekend. Messrs Cooper, Dallas and Ayling may be approaching the twilights of their careers, but the gaffer believes the experience they have built up over their careers could be invaluable this season, and will help develop the younger players. As Farke points out, Leeds fielded one of the youngest line-ups in decades against the Robins, but insists that their leadership qualities will be essential this season, if they are to reach the promised land, come May. “It’s always good to have him because he’s a leader together with Luke Ayling, both with experience leading the group. I’m pretty grateful that they were also there today as leaders with the group because we had an average age in the starting line-up, I don’t know exactly how young it was, but must be one of the youngest in the last decades here for Leeds in a league game. “We need this leadership and for that Liam and Luke are really, really crucial and although they perhaps both would have preferred to play each and every second, they were outstanding in the dressing room and I can just praise their characters and their behaviour and how much they are there for this group. This is crucial.” please log in to view this image Farke worth his weight in gold It's less than 100 days since Daniel Farke took the reigns at Elland Road, and although he's had to deal with a mass exodus of players, others refusing to play, and has had to integrate almost an entirely new starting line-up, Leeds find themselves comfortably within the confounds of the play off zone after their first eleven games. Not only that, but the Whites have only shipped eleven league goals all season; only Leicester City have a better defensive record. He's transformed the fortunes of players like Pascal Struijk and Georginio Rutter from squad players to integral parts of his set-up and has created harmony from an otherwise toxic atmosphere. To see such a massive change in such a small amount of time deserves kudos, and although its still early days, Leeds are definitely going in the right direction. please log in to view this image
Morning all. Yes easy to see how Cooper & Ayling's experience could be crucial, however it's surely not imperative that their influence and guidance is from being on the pitch but more in the dressing room and on the training ground. Question is I guess, will they still be such a good influence if they're not getting what they consider enough game time ? Which is probably something that Farke will be very aware of and he'll therefore make sure they're not getting splinters.
Greenwood is only worth about £1.5m tbf. Ok we may have paid £3m for him but he’s failed to fulfil his potential. He’s also slow, and for a so-called set piece specialist his free kicks are woeful. Time to cut our losses.
Morning all If Greenwood was already a Boro player, and we were going to sign him for £1.5m, would it be good value for money. Ampadu, Gray, Kamara are ahead of him, Summerville is a better corner taker, Greenwood is also a bit injury prone and he has the pace of a snail, I’d not want to spend £1.5m on him We signed Gyabi for £5m is he ahead or behind Greenwood in the pecking order, Shackleton also a better option on the bench 1.5m or eventually run his contract down, like Forza points out, forget what we paid, what’s he worth now to the starting 11 the answer is nil
Does the £1.5M clause mean its an automatic sale if they want him, or that's just the set value? eg can we just refuse to sell? Agree that Coops et al may be past it, but we need a decent sized squad to keep going, so they have a role, even if its just to see out a lead for the last 15 mins.
I would have thought if Middlesbrough offered £1.5m it would trigger the release clause and they can have him for that. If other clubs wanted him they can go higher.
All nice words from Farke and what you would expect him to say but for me it’s telling when you play a 17 year old rookie midfielder at right back instead of your specialist right back. Actions speak louder than words as they say.
For me having Ayling, Cooper and Dallas here all season is a big gamble by Farke. Saying they are leaders and then hardly playing them plus not getting promotion means a waste of wages and taking up squad numbers. His gamble only pays off with promotion
So we actually paid £ 1.5M for him, rising to £ 3M with add ons? If none or few of those add ons are triggered through lack of game time & success then surely we would be getting our money back @ £ 1.5M? Not bad for a punt that, unfortunately, won't ever be good enough for Leeds imo Oh, and, morning all
We might have no alternative but to have them here all season, has anyone made an offer. What about injuries and suspensions, we need a bit of depth and you won’t get the experience those three have anywhere else for the money you’d save
If Greenwood can't use his elbows to get a place in out Championship team, how is he going to get into a PL team if we are promoted? No-brainer. Remember, it's not just the £1.5m we'll get, we'll save a hanger-on's wages for a year. Seemingly, he's the highest earner at Middlesborough ... https://www.capology.com/club/middlesbrough/salaries/
I must confess I was surprised too. Other links suggested he was on £2600pw with us, but that's a bit low imo. I just wonder if he's being paid his PL wage by Middlesbrough, which would be a good move by him, as we'd have at least halved his wages. Either that, or it was a sweetner to get him to sign up for a try-before-you-buy on what seems like excellent terms - for everyone apart from us!
Don’t know if I’ve got this right but I thought the Phil Hay tweet said that they had an option to buy him for 1.5 million in January? Does that mean the price isn’t the same at the end of the season? Also not sure how much longer he has left on his contract?
