The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Tuesday 7th October)

Good Morning. It's Tuesday 7th October, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road

Kompany identifies Leeds defender as player of interest

Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany has reportedly identified Leeds United defender Joe Rodon as a player of interest, and it is easy to understand why. The Welsh centre-back has grown into a commanding presence since making his permanent £10 million move from Tottenham Hotspur to Elland Road in the summer of 2024.

After helping Leeds earn their long-awaited return to the Premier League, Rodon has wasted no time proving that he belongs at the top level. His blend of composure, aerial strength, and relentless determination has made him a cornerstone of Daniel Farke’s defence, even as the Whites navigate the challenges of life back in the top flight.

Rodon’s performances have drawn admiration not only from Leeds supporters but also from fellow professionals and top scouts across Europe. Kompany, who previously tried to sign the defender during his time at Burnley, is believed to be keeping an especially close eye on his progress. With Rodon now on international duty with Wales and set to face his former Tottenham teammate Harry Kane in a high-profile friendly against England, the spotlight on him will only intensify.

Once viewed as a talented yet unfulfilled prospect, Rodon has matured into a resilient and intelligent defender—one whose value may have tripled since his arrival at Elland Road. For Leeds, his rise is both a mark of pride and a clear warning that Europe’s elite are beginning to take serious notice. Leeds may have to sell before they can buy in January. If an offer of £30m comes in for Rodon, it's going to be very hard to say no.

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Zielinski deal mooted

Leeds United could be preparing for an ambitious move as reports in Italy suggest they are eyeing a potential loan deal for versatile Inter Milan midfielder/ playmaker Piotr Zielinski. The Polish International is known for his versatility, precision passing, dribbling, and endurance,and at 31, could provide invaluable experience as the Whites look to navigate their way up the table.

According to Inter Live, the Serie A side may be open to sanctioning a temporary switch in order to ease their hefty wage bill. Zielinski, who joined Inter with high expectations, has struggled to secure a regular starting role and is reportedly earning an eye-watering £140,000 per week.

With his contract running until 2028, the Nerazzurri are facing a significant financial wage commitment—close to £19m, so a loan move could provide game time for the midfielder and financial relief for the Italian giants.

Leeds’ growing relationship with Inter could also help facilitate the deal. Following their pre-season clash at Elland Road, the Yorkshire club have built a mutual respect between the two sides. Should this latest move materialise, Zielinski’s arrival could be a statement of intent from Leeds, signaling their determination not only to survive but to rebuild with class and ambition.

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Stach proving to be bargain buy

The 2024 summer transfer window was one of the most extravagant in football history, with a staggering £3.11 billion ($4.2 billion) spent on 155 players across Europe’s top leagues. As the dust has settled and the new season gained momentum, The Athletic has ranked these signings from worst to best—not just by raw ability, but by cost-effectiveness, positional importance, and impact on their new teams.

Among the top performers sits Leeds United’s Anton Stach, who impressively claims the 17th spot on the list after moving from Hoffenheim for a reported fee exceeding £17.3 million. Standing at 6 ft 4 in (193 cm), Stach brings a commanding presence to the midfield—a trait Leeds have sorely needed. His strength in breaking up play, reading the opposition, and dictating tempo has already made him indispensable.

More than just an anchor, he’s shown remarkable composure and vision, capable of launching incisive passes that transition defense into attack with precision. For a club striving to reestablish itself among England’s elite, Stach’s signing represents both shrewd business and sporting ambition. Many observers now regard him as Leeds’ best acquisition of the window—a player whose influence could define their season. In a summer dominated by blockbuster deals and inflated fees, Leeds may have quietly secured one of the brightest bargains in the league.

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Morning all

 

Aye up Kev lad

 

It's cool that we are building a love in with Inter but I thought it was AC we played pre season?

 

Definitely Inter in front of a massive crowd at Elland Road

 

Was it on a big screen there

 

Yeah 1st test to see if we could handle the bigger crowds before deciding whether to push ahead with expansion. People watching from the pitch

 

Good afternoon all. Another boring international break to keep Ell on his toes. Joe Rodon is one of my favourite players, has been since he rejoined saying that he needed to put right the disappointment of the playoff defeat, remember saying I would have given him the captaincy for that at the time. Has developed into our best defender and since relegation would cost us far more than £30 million we’d be mad to even consider it in January.