Good Morning. It's Wednesday 12th May, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Leeds table 20m bid for Stuttgart ace. Ahead of the Summer transfer window, it has been alleged that Leeds have tabled a bid for highly rated attacking left back Borna Sosa. The 23yo Croatian has recently upset his national side by attempting to switch nationalities, and join the German national team. Unfortunately, for the 23yo, this was denied! His agent Franjo Vranjkovićhas has told Croatian outlet Sportske Novosti that the Whites have made a 20m offer to bring Sosa to Elland Road this Summer! He is currently contracted to Stuttgart until 2025. Over 26 games this season, Sosa has an impressive ten assists to his name. Football analyst Marcus Bring said that “if you want a chance creating left-back, wing-back, Borna Sosa is your guy. One of the Bundesliga revelations of the season.” please log in to view this image Top five players of the season With only three games left of the 20/21 season, which player has impressed you the most? Taking into account, not just their contribution on the pitch, but their price tag as well, who would be your top five players of the season? Meslier - He has made the second most amount of saves in the top flight, and he is still only 21. His 5m transfer has really paid off for the Whites. Cooper - Captain reliable for the most, and with seven years of loyal service under his belt since his 600k move from Chesterfield, the 29yo has made over 200 appearances for the Whites. Ayling - He has been Mr dependable since his move from Bristol City almost 4 years ago for £250,000. His forward runs have contributed to many goals. He narrowly missed out on an England call up. Struijk - Signed as a youth International two and a half years ago from Ajaz, the 21 yo has made the transaction between academy football to the top flight look seamless! No wonder FIFA's No1 ranking side Belgium want him to commit his International future to them. Llorente - Injuries aside, the Leeds team stopped leaking goals like an sieve, upon Llorente's inclusion. He has more than justified his 18m fee. Alioski - Nicknamed the Duracell bunny for a good reason, what he lacks in skill, he makes up in passion. Four years ago he cost 2.25m Dallas - Bought from Brentford when he was on loan at Northampton for just 1m, the versatile 30yo could probably even play in goal, if asked to. Phillips - Bought through the youth ranks from the age of 14, the England International is still going from strength to strength! Raphinha - What were his former club Rennes thinking of, when they agreed to sell the Brazilian to Leeds for 18m? Flair, pace, skill and an eye for goal. At 24, he has a big future ahead of him Harrison - He's on his third season loan loan at Elland Road, and when on form, is breathtaking! He has 7 goals and six assists to his name this term. He is one of the main reasons why Leeds have delivered the second highest amount of crosses in the top flight (behind Liverpool). Bamford - He has worked his socks off for his team, always giving his all. With 15 goals this term, his 7m transfer from Boro three years ago seems a snip. please log in to view this image Boris Johnson gives green light to fans attending games Speaking at yesterday's coronavirus press briefing, Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that football fans will be allowed back into stadiums, for the first time in 442 days Unfortunately, as the restrictions have only been relaxed, not abolished, it means that Elland Road can host 8,000 spectators, or 25% of its total capacity, for the home fixture against West Brom. Sources for the club have already said that a ballot will decide who the lucky fans are! please log in to view this image
Morning, Picking our top five is not going to be easy and there are many I do not want to leave out. Here goes- 5- Meslier- Ok, there have been a few mistakes but he can be forgiven just for his age. He has certainly won us more points than he lost us with his world class saves. 4- Struijk- Another youngster who has certainly stepped us this year having played a lot more games than he would have dreamed of. When he has played CB rather CDM he has looked almost world class and next season has a strong argument for keeping one of our Spanish, Scottish or German internationals out. 3- Bamford- "Can he make the step up to the premier league?" was the question everyone was asking before the dust had even settled on last season. Well he has well and truly answered that question. 15 goals so far is an excellent return for a striker of a newly promoted team but he add in the assists and his work rate and he has been excellent all season. 2- Raphinia- What a player and what a bargain at 17 million. No wonder Rennes fans were hating on us. We finally have a Brazilian player who has outshone Roque Jr. 1- Dallas- As good as many players have been this season Dallas has been the star man in my opinion. 8 goals so far, amazing energy levels and the ability to play in numerous positions when asked he has been out of this world. He has been out player of the year without a doubt. (Honourable mention for Phillips. He has been outstanding, evidenced by the difference in the team when he is out, and will probably be a lot of peoples top 5 but he just missed out for me because we expected that of him. The ones I have chosen have taken really stepped us where as Kalvin has just done what Kalvin does.)
Another kid released today Ethan Kachosa 18yo defender and good luck to the lad as he has signed his first pro deal with Sunderland
Morning all. I think we have all been impressed by how the squad as a whole have played in the first season back in the top flight. I think Meslier has everything needed to be the best goalkeeper we have ever had at Leeds and in the next few years could be one of the best in the world.
Genting Bet have an offer of bet £10 on any York races today or tomorrow and get a £5 free bet for the Yorkshire Cup on Friday.Matched betting is my thing so looking for a low qualifying loss which Bielsa will probably give me once the back and lay odds move on a bit later today.
Difficult to chose a top 5 as most of the squad who contributed did well and have had an impact on this fantastic season. So its easier to name a couple who disappointed. Costa, Roberts Poveda and even Pablo who failed to fire when given a chance
Have you seen Captain Cooper running at York as well, at 15.40 14/1 at the moment PP paying 4 places..
Seems like some Leeds fans have a bit of cash to own race horses. Extra places is a big money earner inmatched betting terms but I haven't got the hang of it yet.
Question for WJ as he is a big fan of SPL. Barry Douglas is out of contract at Leeds next month and isnt in Bielsa’s plans. We sent him on loan to Blackburn for the season and he was pretty good for them apparently but they dont want to sign him. Yet it seems Rangers want to get him on a free contract which would be a great move for Bazza going back home etc, but if hes not good enough for Blackburn yet is good enough for the SPL.....
Love my Horse Racing Most of these Leeds named horses than run for Thirsk based trainer Kevin Ryan They come from Highbank Stud. also based in Yorkshire.. .Martin Wainwright the main man there is a massive Leeds fan. They have a website and twitter account found Highbankstud.co.uk. /Highbank Std. Have a few yearlings who most probably will follow the trend. Some boring facts for you lol.
As on the top 5 that's a very difficult question. I really can't pick 5. as so many have done themselves proud this season. Obviously Raphinha stands out a mile but plays in a position that flaunts the public eye. but no doubting he is the dog bollicks. The Player who I think deserves praise is Pascal Struijk who has had very little breaking in time.. Yes he was with our first team last season but it was really a learning season getting him bonded with the 1st team learning our way and was thrown a couple of games throughout that. He's basically had to showcase his ability straight off the bat in the Premier League from scratch which is some feat. This lad still has so much ahead of him it's actually frightening how good he actually can be.