Good Morning. It's Tuesday 14th November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road British transfer record agreed between LUFC and Man City for starlet Leeds Utd have reluctantly agreed to sell highly rated schoolboy Finlay Gorman to Manchester City for a yet to be revealed seven figure sum, creating a British record for someone so young. Gorman, who only turned 15 in September is an attacking midfielder with a big engine, and an eye for goal. He has already broken into Adam Underwood's U18's this season, playing five times this season, but is in the same age group as Alfie Cresswell and Harry Gray, whose older siblings obviously represent Leeds first team. Due to his age, Leeds are powerless to stop the England U16 from joining Citeh's Elite Development Squad but have secured at least £1m, plus other clauses which will activate should he prove to be a success in the future. please log in to view this image Spurs upping their interest in Struijk Reports from the media suggest that Tottenham Hotspur are upping their interest in Leeds Captain Pascal Struijk. The 24yo centre-back has been in fine form this season, forging one of the best centre-back pairings in the Championship alongside Joe Rodon, who happens to be on loan at Elland Road from Spurs. With an average 'Whoscored rating of 7.01, and three goals to-boot, the young Belgian has caught the eye of many top European sides this season, keen on bolstering their back line when the January transfer window comes about. Losing either centre-back in January could seriously effect Leeds' promotion push. If anything, Leeds may look to reinforce their defence in the New Year as Liam Cooper and Charlie Cresswell seem out of favour. Would you let Struijk leave if Leeds could do a deal involving Joe Rodon or Djed Spence? He may only be two years older than Struijk, but Roden always comes across (to me) as a little jaded, like an old warhorse, yet there's no faulting any of his performances this season, which have been exemplary! please log in to view this image Secret agent 006 targeting Gray Liam Cooper has admitted he's working behind the scene's as a secret agent, in a bid to persuade Archie Gray to switch allegiance to Scotland! The 17yo has surpassed expectations, already gaining 1356 minutes of game time, plus an additional 270 for England U19's in their bid for Euro qualification. He has represented England from U15 level upwards, (and Captains the U18's) but would still qualify to represent Scotland at Senior level. The Gray household has a steep tradition in Scottish folk-law, with dad Andy, Grandfather Frank, and Uncle Eddie all representing the Tartan army, but for now at-least Archie seems content to take a different path. According to secret agent 006:- “I’m still trying to tap him up, don’t worry about that. No, I’ve been a bit of a secret agent. He knows I’ll always be there. He’s such a young boy and his family are steeped in Scottish and Leeds history. “There is definitely a bit of sentiment there but he’s flying at the minute with England. He’s captain of the Under-18s, which is a bit of a stinker for us. But I’ll keep nipping away and hopefully, I can break him down. “Have I spoke to the manager about him? No, not really. Me and John Carver and the boys have a bit of craic. They know how it is. It’s tough. Especially when the boy is playing so well and is captain of England at the minute. But you never know.” please log in to view this image
Gorman like any young boy will listen to his parents who have his best interests at heart, there will already be an advisor in the background who will be acting as an agent unless his dad is doing it. Pity Hayden Evans isnt on the scene as he would insist Leeds is the best place for him like Speed, Batty, Cresswell, Archie Gray, Harry Gray, Shackelton and more. There are no guarantees that the kid will make it, but his chances are good barring injury. The cash will come in handy though The Struijk to Spurs thing makes me laugh out loud. I suppose he’s a straight replacement for Dier really, but when you already have Rodon why? Lets of Postacoglu likes the look of Firpo
Sadly, the fact we are not in the EPL means we’ll always suffer when the vultures come calling for our best youngsters. In truth when City come calling there’s few teams out there in the Prem, who would be able to keep a 15 yr old. But sad all the same. Hopefully he’ll do well enough to activate all the add-ons, and we’ll end up with a multi million profit on the lad. I wouldn’t sell Struijk, and certainly not in January. I share your view on Rodon, Elland. He’s performed very well of late, but I’m still not sure about him. Some of his passing scares the hell out of me, and I never feel comfortable on the occasions he chooses to bring the ball out of defence. But he’s doing well overall.
Good Morning from a bitterly cold Bardsey I tyhink its a real shame thatr we cant keep the young ladfrom Citehhaven,t they enough talendted youngsters without stealing ours
What a load of old bollocks Rodon is absolute quality. If you think he comes across as a little jaded, like an old warhorse, what does that make Cooper
Morning all. The Gorman thing is a disaster. We're getting peanuts for him and wont ever see him play even one game for our first team. As for being in the championship making a difference, no it's not. KP ran to city when they clicked their fingers and we were pl then. Football is completely fooked and going only in one direction.
Probably not a poular opinion but what right do we have to receive anything for a young lad making his own way in the world ? Hoovering up local talent at all junior age groups shouldn't lead to transfer fees until the boy/girl signs a professional contract. But what about the coaching and nurturing I hear you scream...yeh right load of old bollocks that, plus they cast hundreds aside after giving them false hope from the age of about 6 in some cases. Every child should be free to play where he or she wants to play until at least the age of 16 and if Man City or whoever wants him then any monies changing hands should be his and his alone.
Jammy the boy chose Leeds and he signed a contract. Schoolboy terms that states he gets educated and plays football and gets football coaching. Its like being at a private school and gets it all free until the time he wants to leave and then the terms of his contract kick in. Good business as we will be getting what we paid out for Summerville, or Greenwood or Perkins, Drameh, Bate and Gelhardt. We paid for these kids after they were coached elsewhere……
Good morning all Shame about Finlay Gorman, but until things change as maybe suggested by Jammy, teams like City will just hoover up, all the best up and coming talent, not for in most cases an eye to future 1st team football, but for a huge Future PROFIT. Teams like City will just simply buy the best available for the position they require at the time, no matter what the cost, so youngsters like Finlay will never see the first team City shirt, only with another club will he experience first team football after being sold for a huge profit. Sad but it’s just the way football has become, imo anyway.
That’s a very good point you make. If he hasn’t signed a professional contract because he’s too young, how can we get a fee?
That is something else you can pin on Rads and Orta mate. If they hadn't been stupid enough to reinstate our Academy we wouldn't be having disasters like this (or the rumoured interest in Gray)
Exactly. Bring back Massimo Cellino and white lines in the boardroom we could all chill out knowing we’d never be promoted, whilst smoking a zoot and looking at photos of his daughter’s shapely posterior
sadly, it's from about 6 in all cases these days Jambo The whole academy business for most clubs is structured around hoping to get 1 lad a year who might make it as an average pro somewhere. Everybody else there in thaat lad's squad is just so he has someone to pass to. The idea is he ends up paying everyone's salaries. In essence that's what happened here... except they'd generally rather hold on to the 'diamonds' for longer and get more cash for them. You end up with the rich clubs hoarding all the talent and then letting almost all of it go (for a tidy profit) because they can't offer them game time.
I also said in the same sentence that his performances have been exemplary. Watch him, and hopefully you'll see what I mean...
James Marshment on Twitter, don’t know if he is a good source or click bait bulshitter, but he is saying Man City are also targeting Harry Gray now that they’ve poached Finlay Gorman???
Man City hardly need the money and they have had Phil Foden and Rico Henry come through their academy. Also got £50 million for the young lad they sold to Chelsea. £1 million to them is peanuts so worth the punt on Gorman. I just think Finlay might have gotten first team opportunities sooner if he stayed.
