The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Tuesday 20th September)

Good Morning. It's Tuesday 20th September, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road


Trio set for contract talks

Plans are to be put into place, to tie down three players to long term contracts. Jack Harrison, Robin Koch and Pascal Struijk are all now entering the final two years of their contracts, and Victor Orta is keen to see all three pen new long term deals.

Harrison, in particular, has had a great start to the season. According to Whoscored.com, he is the highest-rated English player not part of Gareth Southgate’s latest squad. Leeds are believed to have turned down several offers for the 25yo this Summer, but is bound to attract more attention during the Winter transfer window unless Leeds can secure new terms.

Koch too has been impressive, and is quickly becoming one of their most reliable players, which Struijk has been a revelation at left back in Firpo's absence. Elland Road journalist Phil Hay is adamant that Leedswill be desperate to tie down all three.

“They’ll want to keep all of them. I’m not sure it’s happened yet but I was expecting them to get into contract talks with Harrison as soon as the window closed,” “They are going to have to extend his deal otherwise they are going to be in a situation by the end of the season where he’s got 12 months left and in no way could they be asking for £40million from anybody.

“I noticed Robin Koch had been left out of the Germany squad which I think will come as a bit of a surprise to him. I think he’s probably played as well in this period as he has at any stage with Leeds. “But Struijk, again, they will want to keep Struijk without a doubt.”

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Table shows a steady start for Whites

With just under a fifth of the season already completed, the top flight table is beginning to take form. Few would have thought that Leicester City would be propping up table, but with six losses and a draw, the 2015/16 Premier League Champions find themselves in that very precarious position. Nottingham Forest were always going to find it difficult to make the step-up, but by bringing in 22 new players at a cost of almost £150m, you'd think that they'd have a few more points by now.

Surprisingly, West Ham occupy the final drop zone position. They too, spent big in the Summer (£164m spent - £16m departures) yet have lost to the likes of Everton and Nottingham Forest. Other notable mentions go to Aston Villa and Crystal Palace, who great things were expected from this Season. Leeds recent form in the past few games have given us cause for concern, but if they can end the season in 11th, would you consider that to be a success, or do they need a top half finish?



Skubala delighted for Gnonto call-up

Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen, Tyler Adams, Mateusz Klich, Diego Llorente, Luis Sinisterra and Wilfried Gnonto have all headed out on International duty with their respective Countries; and with the World Cup just two months away, are desperate to make an impact.

The most surprising call up (apart from Llorente) has to be Gnonto, who at only 18, isn't even expected to break into the Jesse Marsch's line-up anytime soon; however Italian National Coach Roberto Mancini has other idea's. With four senior caps to his name already this year, the former Inter Milan and Zurich starlet has a great chance of making it to Qatar in November, and Leeds U21 Coach Michael Skubala is delighted for him:-

"What an amazing learning experience for him, and to bring those experiences back, share them with the group, share them with the players, you know, you want your players playing at every standard they can be. "It's only going to help him to become a Premier League player and that's what we want him to be.”

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Good Morning to you all from a chilly Bardsey
What I can,t understand is how we were able to buy him so cheaply .From the videos I have seen and listening to him he seems a well balanced youngman who can only improve but if its true that we only paid $5m for him what is the catch?

 

Morning all i would be happy for koch and cooper to stay at thorpe arch and keep them fit for after the world farce. Llorente is just a liability now and i have no interest in him. Feel sorry for jack not getting a look in but selfishly i don't want him to be picked. But an injury could open a place for him with England.
Does any statto on here know exactly how many and who of our players will be goung to the world cup?. It's very rare i watch any international of european cups/leagues games. I just watch Leeds and sometime the 9pm saturday efl show.

 

Morning Mike, Wee Willy was running his contract dow so reason 1: 2/ is that Swiss league dont tend to have massive value players on their books they tend to go into Austria, Germany or France. Willie deal will probably cost Leeds nearer £10m due the add-ons, but is a massive bargain even at that price

 

“Does any statto on here know exactly how many and who of our players will be goung to the world cup”

Wakey starting with the ones I dont care about
Dan James & Tyler Roberts

Maybe’s
Bamford, Rodrigo, Roca and Harrison

Probables
Llorente
Aaronson
Adams
Klich
Koch
Meslier
Struijk
Kristensen

Italy failed to qualify so no Willie going away

 

Morning all. I take any talk of contract talks with a very big pinch of sale. We were hearing since last xmas that we were about to discuss contracts with Rapha and Kalvin and it was all bull. If we wanted to tie Harrison down, We've had a month of non football to do it in. If not sorted in next couple of weeks in my opinion, hell be off.

 

Enough of your positivity Eire...

 

Just been reading an interview with Brands the top man at PSV and his version of the Leeds €43m bid for Gakpo. The sacking of the 20 year man who was technical director but screwed everything up so lost his job. The long and the short of it that the Leeds bid was actually €30m (£26m) and €13m in add ons which were almost unachievable. Brands has told Leeds to come back in January with a bid of €43m, without the bonuses and Gakpo could be ours. I admire Orta for trying it on but instead of bragging about us offering record breaking sums of money for players, lets offer real money and not pretend money thats used as a PR stunt

 

Morning all

 

Are you genuinely surprised Doc? Hardly first time its happened

 

I like to do my bit to prevent lads from running away with themselves

 

Well you are certainly doing that. I've put my name down for the John of Gods...........

 

Anyway Ill withdraw my prediction when Jack hopefully signs his brand spanking new contract

 

And a big dollop of humble pie with cream on the side

 

He gets carried away when a trip to scotland is getting near

 

It’s the adrenaline you know and the prospects of half a dozen pints

 

It will be like signing a new player (apparently)

 

T

That's breakfast sorted then.

 

Like Forshaw after every injury and his new sicknote mate Bamford

 

You know me too well Just keep an eye out for five drunken Irish lads thrown out of Scotland game