If we've been offered Maxi snap their hands of saw this guy on Saturday when Leeds played Motherwell, the guy is a fast left sided player who likes to run at people. My Brother's a Leeds fan and really rates him.
Reading up about him mate, appears he's a youngish lad from the Ivory Coast. Can't say I know a great deal else about him. His wiki says he's a winger who's happy to play on either side of the park. Other sites have him listed as a striker who's happy to play as an attacking midfielder! Won player of the year last year so must have something about him although obviously not proven at in the prem. Sky Sports rumours says stay with us throughout today to see how this progresses, wonder if we'll see some movement on this today?
Full name Max-Alain Gradel[1] Date of birth 30 November 1987 (1987-11-30) (age 23) Place of birth Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire Height 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)[2] Playing position Winger / Forward Max-Alain "Max" Gradel (born 30 November 1987) is an Ivorian footballer who plays for Leeds United in England's nPower Championship. He is a Winger, he is comfortable playing on either side on the wing or as a second striker. Gradel was a product of the academy at Leicester City. He received his first call up to the Côte d'Ivoire national team in November 2010.[3] And made his debut for the national side on the 5th June 2011.[4] On 30 April 2011, Gradel won both the Fans Player Of The Year Award. Leicester City A product of the Leicester City youth academy, Gradel says the man he owes most to in life is the person who introduced him to football, Daniel Barraclough. The winger was given a squad number for the 2007–08 season. On 5 May 2007, he signed his first professional contract with Leicester along with seven other players, including Eric Odhiambo, Andy King and Carl Pentney.[5] 2010–11 season Gradel played his first game back at Elland Road since his red card against Bristol Rovers, with him putting in an impressive performance when Leeds completed their pre-season campaign on 31 July with a 3–1 win over Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers at Elland Road.[citation needed] Gradel scored a goal in the game by scoring a long range effort.[citation needed] Due to Gradel's red card the previous season and his refusal to leave the pitch he missed the first four games of the season through suspension.[33] Gradel returned from his four match suspension in the second round of the League Cup when he made his first start of the season against his former club Leicester.[citation needed] He managed to gain an assist in the game, providing a cross for Davide Somma's goal.[citation needed] His first league appearance came in the following game, when he came on as a second half substitute in the 1–0 win away to Watford.[citation needed] Gradel made his first league start of the season, when Lloyd Sam was dropped for the game against Swansea City on 11 September.[34] Gradel scored his first goal of the Championship season against Scunthorpe United.[35] Gradel scored his second goal of the season against Coventry City after scoring a penalty.[36] Gradel's third goal of the season came against Norwich City.[37] Gradel scored his fourth goal of the season against Burnley which started Leeds's comeback to win 3–2 after being 2–0 down.[38] On 18 December, Gradel scored his fifth and sixth goals of the season when he scored both goals in Leeds' 2–0 win over league leaders Queens Park Rangers.[39] Gradel scored his 7th goal of the season against his former club Leicester City with a header[40] Gradel's form for Leeds has seen him attract interest from Premiership clubs[41] Gradel scored his 8th goal of the season against Portsmouth.[42] Newcastle United showed an interest in Gradel and manager Simon Grayson confirmed that he wasn't looking to sell the in-form Gradel.[43][44] After an impressive December, Gradel was named as one of the nominee's for The Championship player of the month.[45] 8 January, Gradel won a penalty against Arsenal which was dispatched by Robert Snodgrass as Leeds earned an impressive 1-1 draw.[46] 15 January, Gradel scored his 9th goal of the season against Scunthorpe United [47] Gradel scored his 10th goal of the season against Bristol City.[48] On 22 February, he scored his 11th and 12th goals of the season in the home fixture against Barnsley.[49] Gradel's 13th and 14th goals of the season came in the same game in the 5-2 win against Doncaster Rovers.[50] Gradel's impressive form for Leeds during the 2010-11 season earned special praise by manager Simon Grayson.[51] On 2 April, Gradel scored his 15th and 16th goals of the season against Nottingham Forest.[52] Gradel scored his 17th goal of the season against Derby County in Leeds' 2-1 loss.[53] On 30 April, Gradel won Leeds' 2010-11 Player Of The Year Award and also the Players Player Of The Year Award at Leeds annual Player award ceremony.[54] After winning the award Gradel announced that he wanted to stay at Leeds to help them reach The Premiership.[55] Gradel also revealed he would like to extend his contract at Leeds.[56] Gradel scored his 18th goal of the season in the final match in Leeds' 2-1 win against Queens Park Rangers.[57] In the summer of 2011 Gradel was believed to have been interesting German club Hamburger SV.[58] In June 2011 Gradel was linked with moves to Paris Saint Germain[59] and West Ham.[60] Manager Simon Grayson revealed he had not received any written offers for Gradel and wasn't looking to sell the player unless Leeds were offered mega-money for him.[61]
My best pals a Leeds season ticket holder, he reckons Gradel is class, absolutely rapid, loves running at people, but sometimes a bit selfish. He'd be a cheap option, and maybe (admittedly judging through biased eyes, not mine, my pals), a great prospect. Some big French clubs have been looking, think it was Bordeaux and PSG, he must have something.
only seen him a few times but he strikes me as the new shaun wright-phillips make of that what you will......
Talking to Leeds fans after the game on Saturday they all rate him and have resigned them selves to him leaving.
That's what you wanna hear, a clubs own fans know a player better than anyone, he'd cost a third of an N'Zog.
Aye i'm coming out with the fact, certain people are infatuated with this french mercenary... **** turned thre laptop on this morning, and how many thread about him? and we ain't even gonna buy him...time for some to give it up i think.
Gradel is class, and was head and shoulders above every1 in the championship last year. He loves leeds, but we wont pay him 25k a week in the championship and thats hell of alot for a club that wants to stay in the green. He's so skillfull and fast its frightening! He's nothing like SWP. better all around player. [video=youtube;7bhpdO8jlwk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bhpdO8jlwk[/video]
Gradel is class like Everytime I have watched him he looks the best player on the pitch by a mile and if we signed him I think he could make the step up
He'd walk into your side, mainly because i don't believe you have a winger that is as good as him. With him now a full international, you'd expect him to progress whether its with us or sunderland. The guy is dynamite on his day. Good at defending 2
