Good Morning. It's Tuesday 4th January, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Leeds fight to keep Cresswell U23 Captain Charlie Creswell is a target for both Liverpool and Manchester Utd according to reports in the Sun and Daily Mail. Cresswell, 19 arrived at Elland Road in 2013, and won a scholarship in 2018, before signing his first professional contract less than a year later. His father, Richard, who played for the Whites between 2005-07, was part of the youth set-up at Thorp Arch during this time Summer (June 18 - Aug 19). Cresswell's first team opportunities have been hampered by Marcelo Bielsa's stubbornness to play square pegs in round holes (Ayling at centre back), restricting the England U21 centre back to just 94 minutes of game time this season. He currently has a shoulder injury which will keep him sidelined for the next six weeks. Cresswell has 18 months left on his contract! In a recent interview with LUTV, Cresswell was quoted as saying:- "I'm confident, I'm a leader, I like to play and I like to head it! My targets for the next few years are obviously to try and get in the first team eventually. "But in this moment I have got to go in day to day and just push every day to the best of my ability and hopefully that takes me somewhere.” please log in to view this image Does Rodrigo have a future at Elland Road Leeds stunned the footballing community on the 29th August 2020 when Rodrigo Moreno was unveiled at Elland Road. Not only was he a record signing for the Whites, but he wore the famous No 9 shirt of Spain. Eighteen months on, the 30yo has 38 appearances to his name, and has netted nine times. Whilst it's fair to say he has had his moments, injury problems and lack of direction on where he should be playing have hampered his chances for progression. Leeds need to make some brutal decisions in the next six months, none more so than whether to cash in on Rodrigo, and bring in an upgrade or stick with him? If an offer came in of 13m (around half what Leeds paid for him), would you accept it? please log in to view this image Greenwood in demand Leeds forward Sam Greenwood is a wanted man according to various media reports in the last couple of days. The 19yo hitman has been linked to a host of Championship clubs, with Nottingham Forest and Swansea heading the list. Greenwood joined the Whites from Arsenal in the Summer of 2020 for 1.5m, and has played a regular part in Mark Jackson's U23's ever since. Whilst he has not fulfilled the promise shown by Gelhardt, there's no denying his talents for a player so young. The lure of first team football will appeal to both club and player, in the hope he returns to Elland Road with the experience to move to the next level. Greenwood played under Forest boss Steve Cooper during his time managing the England U17's during which he netted 12 times in 14 appearances. Greenwood has 18 months left of his three-year contract at Elland Road. Crysencio Summerville may also be on the move this month. The 20yo winger is being tracked by Scottish Champions Rangers. Manager Giovanni Van Bronckhorst is a big fan of his fellow compatriot. Bielsa was recently quizzed whether any of his fledglings would fly the nest in the New Year, to which he replied:- "It's a subject where it's a possibility," "Players that are immediately below the group of the first-team [U23s], they only have one reason to stay at the club - that they have real possibilities to dispute a place in the team, that they have the desire to fight for their space and show that they deserve it. "With those parameters, we will make the decision that's best for the players and for the club," please log in to view this image
Morning all Leeds do a great job of keeping things quiet, so the only transfer stories are old regurgitated lazy stories. The only original one recently is regarding Kamara the top DM from OM, but when you see the list of clubs chasing him….. Journos cant find out who we’re chasing so they start stories about our kids going out on loan. Yes some may go but not really wise to send players out without having any cover is it. Cresswell, Summerville, Greenwood, Drameh and McKinstry are all International U21s. These same players are now worth a fortune based upon the prices quoted for Noni Maduaki(£35m) and Nkettiah, Chillwell, Mount Barnes so Im sure the club know what they’ve got
I would cash in on Rodrigo but not till the summer. £13m emm I think we will be wanting a bit more but then again age in not on his side either. As on the u23's A very small amount will make it to the big time but hopefully the ones that do we can hold onto. It's just hard to bleed them straight into a Premier League first 11 when you had no run up the football ladder. you really have to be extra special. We got some decisions to make this summer. because a lot of these u23's are at that age where they will want to play first team football now.
Genuinely think Rodrigo is a very talented footballer. However, he is a 9 or a left winger. The experiment of trying him in midfield has largely failed. I'd try him on the left but with Harrison and James also here that's difficult. I like him as a striker but he likes to play off the shoulder of the last man whereas our system suits players holding the ball up and bringing people in to the game. It's turned out to be a strange signing. He just doesn't seem to fit. I'm not sure we would get our money back but I reckon a swap deal of some sorts would be the best way.
Couple of things spring to mind regarding Rodrigo: Bamford saying his arrival freaked him out because watching him in training is mesmerising and oozes quality. Bielsa saying we need to find a level that brings out Rodrigos qualities and we havent done that enough. Bielsa sayingits possible to see Bamford playing alongside Rodrigo Rodrigo has missed 50% of last season, but finished season well. Hasnt played this season with the real first 11 and now injured again. Bielsa has to find the solution because it was Bielsa who creamed his jeans when he realised Rodrigo would come, but he hasnt used him properly yet? Worst case scenario Xavi will take him to Barcelona on loan but they cant afford to buy him. Hes big mates with Xavi and many of the Barcelona team and Im sure hes just as pissed off as us fans with whats happening. He may decide hes had enough?
Rodrigo is one I'd keep for now, I've a feeling he'll be a better fit for us if we can get our midfield sorted out. As it stands there is very little creativity in there and that doesn't help Rodrigo. You may have noticed he tends to try and link up with Raphinha a lot because they're more on the same wavelength, let's see how he does if we can aquire a top level No 8 for him to bounce off as well. Another reason is our lack of squad depth, can we really afford to be offloading quality players ? I'd like to see Rodders and Joffy as well as one of our 3 wingers coming off the bench when we need goals in the latter stages of games. It certainly worked against Burnley when we had Dan James & Joffy to bring on.
I see i thought he had just pulled up with a tight muscle and was subbed. Never mind we won't miss his goal. Him.. Rodrigo.. Bamford & Gelheardt have scored four between them.
The main thing I find worrying about all the u23's we buy is that we are a bottom 5 team and have been in an injury crisis but very few of them are deemed good enough to fill in.
Afternoon all I’d sell Rodrigo in an instant, I agree with a few others, there is talent in there but it’s not working for us or him. He’s already far too injury prone too. I just sigh at another U23 signing with a wait and see attitude, we need to be loaning a few out to see if they are going to be good enough
Ryan Edmondson has been loaned out again to Port Vale this time lets hope he can sort himself out because hes a non player at the moment and has been for 2 seasons now
Afternoon all, Well it finally happened after 21 months on the sidelines, back to work today. That was a shock to the system. Feel for Rodrigo as I believe he was brought in as cover/replacement for Bamford in case he couldn't cut it in the league. Bamford has then shown he is still first choice and Rodrigo hasn't yet found his role.
I'm wondering about the formations we'll use now. After some hiccups (players out of positions due to injuries), IMHO the back 3 used against teams with 2 up front seemed to work quite well v Burnley once we had the right people back fit. Playing 2 up front (Bamford and Rodrigo) messes up the rest of the team though.
