Good Morning. It's Thursday 14th August, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road DCL to complete Leeds Utd move Dominic Calvert-Lewin will complete his move to Leeds United today, signing as a free agent following his departure from Everton. The 28-year-old will complete his medical at Thorp Arch this morning, before an official press conference later today Calvert-Lewin's decision to join the Whites comes at the expense of Sunderland, who had offered to make him their highest-paid player. The striker, who boasts 11 England caps, opted for the Whites, much to the relief of the Elland Road faithful, who had started getting restless. Having spent nine years at Goodison Park after joining from Sheffield United in 2016, Calvert-Lewin netted 71 goals in 274 appearances for the Toffees. However, his tenure was frequently disrupted by injuries, and despite Everton offering a new deal last summer, an agreement never materialised, paving the way for his free transfer. Leeds latest acquisition marks their eighth signing of a busy summer transfer window, signalling their clear intent to bolster their squad. Calvert-Lewin is understood to have been brought in to fill the void left by Matteo Joseph, who has opted for a season-long loan spell with Spanish side Mallorca; leaving space for big money signings on the left flank, and another up front! please log in to view this image DCL - The injury myth The early criticism on social media platform X regarding Dominic Calvert-Lewin's physical state among sections of Leeds Utd fanbase is proving to be largely unfounded. That's not to say that the 28 yo hasn't experienced his fair share of injuries, but he is far from being a broken player. Last season, the former England international suffered a serious hamstring injury in January that kept him out of action for just over three months, missing 14 games. However, this was the only non-contact issue that sidelined him for more than one game throughout the previous two campaigns. During the 2022/23 season, Calvert-Lewin missed four Premier League games between August and September due to a broken cheekbone and concussion, following a heavy collision with Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Other than that, he only missed three games over two years due to minor issues or illness. Comparing Calvert-Lewin's injury record to that of Patrick Bamford, who injured himself while practicing penalties, is absurd. It is essential to remember that Calvert-Lewin has been without a club all summer. A lack of match sharpness is to be expected, so even if Leeds process his registration in time, don't expect to see much of him early doors! please log in to view this image Can everyone hurry up please as it's getting a bit warm here... I was lucky enough to interview former England and Leeds Utd goalkeeper Nigel Martyn recently as part of a promotion by Parimatch (https://www.parimatch.co.uk/), the official sleeve partner of Leeds United men's first team, and am proud to bring to you a series of short stories, as told by the Leeds legend himself! In a chilling account of a near-tragic event, the Elland Road legend recounts a harrowing experience from a bitterly cold March evening 27 years ago. The mood was already low. Leeds had just suffered a demoralising 3-0 defeat to West Ham United at Upton Park, and the players were eager to get back to West Yorkshire. Boarding their chartered plane at Stansted Airport, the squad settled in, trying to shake off the sting of the loss. As the plane left the ground at Stansted Airport, the right engine caught fire, sending the players into a panic. Martyn recalls not even having his seatbelt on as he and his fellow players were engrossed in a game of cards. Despite the chaos, the pilot managed to bring the plane back down onto the runway, albeit in a bumpy fashion. The Stewardesses remained calm and professional, guiding the passengers off the plane. Martyn followed the chairman, offering assistance to those who needed it. Robert Molenaar, who was sitting closest to the malfunctioning engine, joked about the situation, stating that it was getting warmer. Although there were some minor injuries, the incident resulted in only one serious injury, as one of the players broke his leg while jumping out of the back door. The pilot was criticised for not following proper protocol, but Martyn and the other passengers felt that he did the right thing in prioritizing their safety. The club even invited the pilot to Elland Road, where he received a warm reception from the Elland Road faithful. Throughout the ordeal, Martyn and his fellow passengers remained calm, with the former goalkeeper noting that he didn't feel scared at the time. In the end, everyone managed to escape the situation unscathed, allowing them to tell their incredible tale. This story is brought to you by Parimatch (https://www.parimatch.co.uk/), the official sleeve partner of Leeds United men's first team. Stay tuned for more captivating stories from Leeds United legends. "Yes, I do remember that. We were playing cards. It was two seats either side of the aisle. So there were four of us in a row, I think Jimmy was playing, Mark Beeney and somebody else, I didn't even have my seatbelt on! "We were taking off, Wheels had left the runway, then the right engine sort of caught fire, like a ball of fire. We continued to climb and were all yelling, get it down (something along those lines). The plane abruptly dropped down onto the runway, then I remember it going off the runway onto grass bouncing along for a bit, then the front wheel snapped and it sort of lurched forward before a split second of stillness. The Stewardesses were brilliant; they just came and directed us off. "I ended up following the chairman out of the plane. I might have had to give him a little helping hand out his side window seat and made sure that we all got off. Robert Molenaar, who was the person sitting closest to that engine, remarked, can everyone hurry up please as it's getting a bit warm here. I remember him saying that. "Whilst that engine was on fire, we were still on board. Luckily everybody got off. I think there was just a couple of minor injuries. Maybe one of the guys, I think he jumped out the back door because of the angle of the airplane. I think he broke his leg. That was the only bad injury. I remember the pilot getting a little bit of a telling off for not following protocall. "I think he was supposed to do a circuit and come back and land. I don't think you could ask a single person on there whether he did the right or wrong thing. We all think he did the right thing because we all got off. As far as we were concerned, he was a hero. The club invited him pitchside to Elland Road, where he got a great reception from 40,000 Leeds fans. "I didn't feel scared at the time so it wasn't like it was a scary feeling. it was really strange but you know I felt that we were all just going to get off and that's what happened and luckily, we're all here to tell the tale. please log in to view this image
Will be very interesting to see what happens with El Khannouss. Leeds, if they haven't done already have until midnight tomorrow to activate his release clause!!!
Hes hanging on to get the best offer for himself. Will pile it all on the table last moment and take the best offer you cant blame him.
Much to the relief of the Elland Rd faithful is pushing it Ell. Reading around I'd say about 90% think its an awful signing, all the hallmarks of desperation.
If that’s the case it seems a bit pointless to hang on just in case as isn’t Eze wanted by Arsenal, Newcastle & Tottenham but if he stays all 3 clubs will still want an attacking midfielder therefore BEK then likely ends up at Newcastle or Tottenham unless we can say he’ll get more game time here because of the other squads, that’s are only hope really. May as well just go get Hamer now.
Morning all Underwhelmed by DCL is a serious understatement, I will however put that behind me now and support him and hope that he proves us all wrong Leicester lad through the door and a decent left winger and it will ease the pain, throw in someone to compete at the FB position and that would be a bonus Announce Bamford, Meslier and Harrison are off to new clubs and that's icing on the cake Liam Cooper looks like joining the Wendies, we could be facing him soon
I know it was a Cup game, but Birmingham City were all over Sheff U yesterday 20 shots to 5, and 5 on target, with Hamer's effort being the Blades only shot on target
Gelhardt, Joseph, Bamford all finished at the club. We have two replacements so it would make sense that we are still looking for one more striker but I just can't see it happening. We can't afford to have three Strikers sitting on the bench, more like we will get the guy mentioned yesterday who can play as a forward or winger
I just don't see us getting BEK. Hes at a price we can go straight in and ask the question. I don't know shyte but if we have went in as the media say hes obviously hedging his bets and waiting to see if anyone bigger comes in before making his move. His agent has probably said hes interested to keep us on hold if the shyte hits the fan. but if a top half prem team do the same hes going there. It's shyte but not many "good players" want to sign a 3-4 year contract and find out they in the Championship again. Its a tough window for us because the players we chasing are better than the average.
As you say we have gained 2 and lost 3. I'd be really surprised if there wasn't one more to come... surprised and disappointed. If there isn't then it makes the DCL punt the crazy gamble some have called it as. Get a marquee striker through the door and DCL looks a much more educated punt.
I quite like a punt as long as its not too many in one go. A bit like Aaronson, Kristensen, Roca all in one window. Obviously hindsight is a wonderful thing to have. In my eyes, Bornauw was a punt. Questionable whether he was good enough and he is also injury prone. DCL is a punt. Obviously good enough but his injury record is horrific. He could be a genius of a signing though. Keep him fit, give him service (unlike at Everton under Dyche) and he could get 10-15 goals. Or he could only play 5 games. Punt. Nmecha is a punt. Injury prone. Couldn't do it at Man City. Can he stay fit? Has he ever been good enough for the Premier League?
We haven’t lost 3 though have we because Gelhardt wasn’t here last season. Really can’t see us having 4 striker options.
Thing is Bornauw is a fine punt because how often should we need him when he’s replaced Wober. He’s 4 choice CB which is fine by me. DCL on the other hand is a bigger punt as it’s likely him or Piroe as our main number 9, if he’s fit and we can supply him it’s a masterstroke but it could also be a mistake. But I guess with options and time running out and no transfer fee it’s worth a punt.
Difference I guess is Joffy and Gelhardt were young players and the idea would have been for them to improve with us or go out on loan, the three strikers we currently have are not playing for the U21s or going out on loan so I honestly feel that is our lot unless we're going to play the silly game again of lets chop and change who 9 and 10 are and debate it for half a season
Thats where Noah Okafor would come in. Can play left, right or central. Over 6ft, quick, skillful, decent goal record. 28 goal involvements in 86 games from the left. 17 goal involvements in 40 games from the right. 42 goal involvements in 79 games as a centre forward.
