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Update on all things Leeds

Discussion in 'Leeds United' started by Eireleeds1, May 23, 2020.

  1. Eireleeds1

    Eireleeds1 Well-Known Member

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    #1
  2. Whitejock

    Whitejock Well-Known Member

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    wakeybreakyheart likes this.
  3. Eireleeds1

    Eireleeds1 Well-Known Member

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    I’ll try now
     
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  4. Eireleeds1

    Eireleeds1 Well-Known Member

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    Here you go WJ
    Football’s back, isn’t it? Premier League squads returning to base this week, Leeds United and the rest of the Championship starting group training on Monday and the Bundesliga safely through its first weekend. This is what the authorities would call the right direction.

    And yet, every day brings new questions as English football fights with COVID-19 and tries to rediscover some form of normality. Leeds United are no different, juggling countless issues from player safety to the expiry of contracts and future recruitment. Here is The Athletic’s latest Elland Road mailbag. Your questions, our answers:

    What are the injury updates at Leeds, Phil? Will we see Forshaw or JKA in the last nine games? (Andrew N)

    If you’ve been following Jean-Kevin Augustin’s Instagram account then you’ll know that he’s been flogging himself since the start of the lockdown. He’s shed plenty of weight, he’s fully over his hamstring strain and he was ready for full training at the end of last month. So in short, he’s fit and he’s fine. Assuming the last nine games of the season go ahead, I don’t expect to see Adam Forshaw in any of them. But his recovery from surgery is going well and he’s looking at a comeback date (available to play) around August or September. Any sooner than that would be rushing his rehab.

    How big a role do you expect Augustin to play in the final nine games (if the season is resumed)? (Jack S)
    Potentially bigger than if the season had finished on time. As it stood in March, I’d have been fairly surprised if Augustin had played another minute — in part because the games were running out but also because of his injury and the way Marcelo Bielsa manages players who are lacking match fitness. He’s back in shape now but one of the lessons you learn from two years of watching Bielsa is that Bielsa loves continuity and prefers not to mess around with his line-up. Which is another way of saying that the chances of Augustin displacing Patrick Bamford are very slim.

    Is there any suggestion that any of Leeds’ squad would not want to return as, like Troy Deeney, they are worried for family members or their own health? And how would the club view this? (David J)

    No. They’re all on board and all committed to returning in groups from Monday morning (the EFL has allowed one-on-one sessions this week but the resumption of group training is a much more important line in the sand). Needless to say, they’re aware of the health considerations but of all the clubs affected by this, Leeds are as enthusiastic as any to get the last nine games finished. On one hand, it’s about sealing promotion in a proper manner.

    But on the other, and as Tyler Roberts said a fortnight ago, it’s about redeeming the loss of nerve at the end of last season — and proving that this squad can get over the line under pressure. Leeds, I’m told, would be sympathetic with any player who had genuine concerns about returning. Most clubs seem to accept that it’s difficult to force players onto the training ground if they’re genuinely worried about the risks. There are players at Leeds with relatively newborn babies, for example.

    Are you aware of what provisions the club are planning to put in place to try and safeguard Marcelo when training and possibly matches resume? All the talk of fit and healthy young players being low risk is understandable but Bielsa will be 65 in July. (Mark T)

    He’s stayed away from Thorp Arch almost completely so far, apart from checking if the right maintenance was being carried out. But there would be no chance of persuading him to keep his distance once training resumes. The rules at Thorp Arch will be very tight (in line with EFL protocols): players given individuals kits in boxes and told to wash it themselves and shower at home; initial sessions in groups of five, building up to eight or 10 if all goes well before the full squad start working together. Entry to the main building is heavily restricted and equipment will be cleaned and sterilised after it’s used. The club have got a very knowledgeable and sensible head of medicine in Rob Price. They won’t be allowed to cut corners.

    When can we expect an announcement on the Adidas kit deal? Do we have to wait until the season is over? (Matthew H)
    I wouldn’t expect anything to be formally announced until the season is wrapped up one way or another but the deal with Adidas is unaffected by the COVID-19 shutdown. Leeds, though, have agreed that they will wear their existing Kappa kit in the final nine games. They have a contract with the Italian firm and feel obligated to them, regardless of the fact that Kappa’s contract is about to expire.

    The Adidas partnership will be lucrative, a tier-one contract which reflects the fact that Leeds sell an extraordinary number of shirts. We’re also likely to see a re-evaluation of the club’s shirt sponsor if promotion happens; either a revised agreement with 32Red or a new sponsor altogether. The difference in value between the Premier League and the Championship is considerable, and worth millions.

    What’s the score with Gaetano Berardi’s contract? I can’t bear the thought of never seeing his beautiful face again. (Dan C)

    In a scenario where the last nine games are played, those fixtures won’t be completed before Berardi’s contract ends on June 30. My understanding is that as the first port of call, he and the club will agree a short-term extension to cover the remaining matches. It won’t be a problem. After that, a more substantial renewal might depend on which division Leeds are in.

    The club and Bielsa want Berardi to stay, that much has become clear. At points in Berardi’s career in England he’s been tempted to go back to Italy (particularly after the 2017-18 season) but the offer for Premier League football would be very attractive. Another year in the Championship maybe not so much. But no-one expects him to walk out on June 30 with the season ongoing. It’s not in his nature.

    Have negotiations begun with Marcelo Bielsa regarding: 1) extending his contract to cover the extension to this season and 2) renewing for next season should we be promoted? (James W)

    They’re not talking at this stage about his contract for next season but as you’ll remember from last summer, the process of tying him down for a second year was pretty swift. He’s planning for next season, as you’d expect, and in the same way as Berardi, he isn’t going to exit stage left on June 30 while Leeds are in the middle of a nine-game foot race.

    Initially, he’ll be here until the season is done or the EFL gives in and decides that the Championship should be settled early on a points-per-game basis. With the Premier League to look forward to, Bielsa stays. I’m certain of that because he and the club both value each other.

    If another Championship season is looming, all bets are off. A lot of big decisions will have to be taken on and off the pitch. It does occur to me, though, that Bielsa might find it incredibly difficult to drag himself away from Leeds. It’s like he’s found a second home in Yorkshire.

    Despite the Championship gearing up for a return, it still seems that many clubs are adamant they cannot afford or have the infrastructure to provide the testing necessary for that to happen. Has there been any indication whether there would be central funding for this or any altruism on the part of the bigger clubs to help fund this? How much does the threat of a rebate to the broadcasters have on this do you think? (Henry F)

    Testing is expensive (a six-figure sum per club) and will be run centrally by the EFL. You’ll have read a story this week about Leeds acquiring their own COVID-19 testing kit, which is true, but the 35-40 clubs employees on their essential testing list (Bielsa, his staff, the players and so on) will all be monitored through the EFL’s own scheme.

    Each test costs in the region of £150 and they will be carried out regularly so the expense is not inconsiderable. From what I’m told, this cash is likely to come from the central reward money which the EFL pays to clubs at the end of each season. That’s helpful in as much as it doesn’t force clubs to dig the money from their own accounts immediately — but as with other revenue streams, it will use up money which would normally be earmarked for other things.

    Millwall want the three promoted sides to foot the bill. As for the threat of a TV rebate, oh yes: that’s definitely focused minds in the Championship.

    I would like your opinion as to how the squad would fare in the Premier League, and whether we would be able to secure the funds necessary to further improve the squad. (Karl Martin T)

    What is Leeds’ situation around summer recruitment? Have their plans changed due to the pandemic or are they cracking full steam ahead regardless? (Lewis B)
    To deal with Karl’s question first, a portion of the club’s transfer money and the budget set aside will be taken up by the conversion of loans into permanent deals. Leeds are already committed to signing Helder Costa permanently from Wolves. They are set on taking Jack Harrison from Manchester City and Illan Meslier from Lorient and have options to acquire both. They are also obligated to sign Jean-Kevin Augustin from RB Leipzig (for a fee in excess of £15 million) although that might be open to discussion if Augustin is in two minds about whether he wants the move. He hasn’t found his feet yet but he came with Bielsa’s blessing in January.

    How would the squad cope in the Premier League? They are in a good position insofar as they are expertly drilled under Bielsa and their style should fit nicely in the division. They evidently need more goals — Augustin will help if estimations of his potential are accurate — but you know and I know that Bielsa won’t make surgical changes to this squad. He won’t do a Fulham and tear it to bits, and I could see his starting line-up on the first day of the Premier League season being very similar to his line-up on the last day of the Championship season.

    It’s obvious that if Leeds can’t retain Ben White they’ll need another first-rate centre-back. They also have to make sure that they’re properly resourced at left-back. Manchester City’s Yan Couto, a right-sided Brazilian, is a player I’ve heard them strongly linked with. Keep an eye on that one. I’d also suggest that another centre-mid in the Klich/Forshaw mould would be good. But then again, I’ve been saying that for a while.

    With regards to Lewis’ question, I’m told that the targets Leeds had before the pandemic haven’t changed. But nobody is quite sure what the post-COVID market will look like or how it will operate.

    Do you think playing behind closed doors could actually help Leeds in that it removes a lot of tension and emotion that would have been there in front of 30,000+? (Daniel S)

    I know why you’re asking this but actually, I think not. They’ve won 11 games at home this season and they properly filleted Bristol City, Reading and Huddersfield in that recent five-game winning streak. Given the choice, the players would rather have the crowd despite everything which happened last season. That’s why Leeds said at the outset that their first preference was to resume with supporters in attendance.

    In your opinion, what’s been Leeds United’s single biggest game of the 21st century so far? The Champions League semi-final second leg was a huge moment but in terms of the long-term ramifications for the club, surely nothing can rival the Watford play-off final. Win that and the last 14 years would have been vastly different, even if we’d only gone back up for a year. (James B)

    You’re right. Having seen first-hand the damage that was done by the following season, the 2006 play-off final could have changed many things for the better. I’m trying hard to think of a more flat, depressing or demoralised performance from Leeds. It was as wet as the weather, and the weather in Cardiff was torrential. What’s that old phrase? **** or bust. That was 2006.

    Are the fixtures likely to be played out in order of what was first scheduled? If so, Cardiff away are first up? (Benjamin B)

    Leeds haven’t been notified yet and this won’t become clear until the EFL finalises a start date (around June 20 as it stands) and establishes the exact schedule. But it would make sense to me to play the games as they were originally planned.

    Has there been any buzz around the next crop of youngsters Bielsa might see as potential first-team squad reinforcements — either in the case of promotion or God forbid it, another year in the championship? (Harvey H)

    The next one to look out for might be Stuart McKinstry, the teenage winger who Leeds signed from Motherwell. He’s creeping up the rails and has been more and more involved in first-team training and murderball sessions. He’s only 17 but is ringing Bielsa’s bell, so to speak.

    Update on Kiko? Is he in the UK or has he returned to Spain? (Luke C)

    Casilla spent time back in Spain after his racism ban was imposed (the club allowed him to return and see his family) but he’s in England now and will train like everyone else. In terms of this season, he’s still in the picture but he has six games of his suspension to serve and Meslier has the gloves so Casilla’s prospects of playing look fairly meagre.

    Beyond this season, neither he nor the club know exactly how this will play out. The past few months have done a lot of damage to Casilla’s reputation and whether you think the guilty verdict was right or wrong, this is a very difficult environment for him to live and play in. A decision on whether he stays or goes will come when the transfer window opens.

    What is Marcelo Bielsa using his time on lately? (Masood G)

    Have a read of this piece by The Athletic’s Adam Crafton. Aside from walking around Wetherby and stopping for selfies, Bielsa has been cracking the whip around his coaching staff. As Adam’s article says, they’ve been studying endless amounts of European football and completing a pile of tasks and projects devised by him. Bielsa was 100 per cent set on a May 16 return so has probably been climbing the walls this week. But all being well, they’ll be back for the start of group training first thing on Monday morning.

    (Photo: Mateusz Klich and Stuart Dallas completing running drills this week. Credit: LUFC)
     
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  5. Whitejock

    Whitejock Well-Known Member

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    Thanks for that, Kev. It was a really good read.
     
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  6. wakeybreakyheart

    wakeybreakyheart Well-Known Member

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    Same here I gave up and anyway I'm currently trying to see through some mud.
     
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  7. wakeybreakyheart

    wakeybreakyheart Well-Known Member

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    I've read it now thanks.
     
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  8. Eireleeds1

    Eireleeds1 Well-Known Member

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    I don’t get all the stick Phil Hay gets. Very informative articles and Friday podcasts very entertaining
     
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