Good Morning. It's Friday 21st May, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Leeds preparing to knock back offers for Llorente Since returning to the Leeds starting line up against Southampton, late in February Diego Llorente has been an absolute inspiration. The 27yo was an 18m signing from Real Sociedad last Summer but an injury whilst on International duty with Spain would keep him sidelined for two thirds of the season. The statistics talk for themselves. Leeds conceded 42 times in 24 games without Llorente. In the thirteen games he has started, the Whites have only let in ten goals. We also need to remember that during these thirteen games, Leeds have faced Liverpool, Manchester Utd, Chelsea, Spurs, Manchester City and West Ham. Unsurprisingly, his performances have been noted all around Europe. Whilst Leeds expect to have to turn away offers for the former Real Madrid man, if he can replicate his form in this Summer's European Championship things could get interesting. If you were offered 50m for Llorente, would you accept it. Would you swap him for Ben White? please log in to view this image Wilkes attracting Premier league interest Ex Leeds academy player Malik Wilkes has attracted the attention of Newcastle, Crystal Palace and even Leicester City. The 22yo spent three years at Elland Road learning his trade. Leeds sent him out on loan to Accrington Stanley, Grimsby Town and Doncaster Rovers where he had limited success. He joined Barnsley in the Summer of 2019 for just under 1m, even though his contract ran until 2022. He didn't stay long at Oakwell Park, before the Tigers were sniffing around him. They snapped him up for an undisclosed fee following a successful loan period. In his first full season, he has netted 22 times. He now has a hefty price tag around his neck. Apparently Hull Manager Grant McCann has has assurances from the Allam family that their prized asset will not be sold!!!! Were Leeds too hasty in getting rid of Wilkes? Let's not forget that he netted 14 times when on loan at Doncaster Rovers, when he was only 18/19! please log in to view this image I was wrong about Leeds - Souness Graeme Souness has confessed that he was wrong about Leeds! The Scottish legend claimed at the start of the season, he thought Leeds would struggle in the top flight, and the majority of players at Bielsa's disposal were ‘not Premier League’ standard. The 68yo was more than happy to eat his words on Sky Sports on Tuesday evening and even admitted he loves to watch the Whites in action! “They have been the best watch, for me,” “They play a brand of football that you cannot help but enjoy. “There’s an honesty about them. They are a young group. Prior to this year, you are thinking ‘these are not Premier League players’. “But to a man, they have stood up and looked as if they have belonged in this league. And some of the football has been fantastic. “I would go as far as to say that he is my manager/coach of the year. The football he has got this group of players playing defies logic when you think about where those players were before.” please log in to view this image
Morning all, Offical confirmation from the club this morning that Pablo and Berardi will be leaving the club this summer. (It must be dusty in here today. )
I think Llorente is better than White so I'd not take the swap and we need to build around our best players and Llorente is one of those players. Might have got some money for Wilkes if we'd have kept hold of him but time has passed. We're looking at a next level now and with youth players there is always a chance you bring a gem through or you let one leave, it's just how it goes. Good to see a pundit eat his words and admit it. It's good to prove people wrong. Just to add to this the very sad news that we all expected has now been confirmed. Bera and Pablo will be leaving at the end of the season. If you have a look at the square ball's twitter you'll see a leaving message from Berardi which brings a tear to the eye. It will always be a sad day when a member of the promotion side leaves. Anyone going to the game at the weekend please make sure you give them the biggest standing ovation and appreciation they both deserve. Incredible players and people.
What a pity that it's not a full house to give them the send off they deserve, Pablo for his majestic play and goals and Berra for his sterling commitment to the cause and will to win both deserve some minutes in this last chance saloon. Let the 8000 or so raise their voices to the max and give it the big "we are Leeds" roar and make it sound like a full house for these departing warriors. THIS IS SPARTA !!!
Tears in eyes reading this https://www.thesquareball.net/leeds-united/an-open-letter-from-gaetano-berardi/
Morning all... Interesting he has asked the Square Ball to share his open letter and not something like the YEP? I’m over the moon Leeds are releasing them both, you can’t allow sentiment to get in the way of freeing up squad places and wages for two players who would be lucky to get a game next season, I just wish Kiko had also been named. I prefer Llorente over White, we need to crush all rumours for our best players, don’t even entertain the thought of offers, let’s take an early stance and put their agents in place. Hopefully we’ll make an early mouthwatering signing that shows the rest of the team and footballing world we mean business
We will be getting offers for Llorente, Rodrigo, Raphinha, Bamford, Dallas and Meslier. The club just need to brush them away. I believe all the players signed on to be part of a project and that project is only starting. Orta and Bielsa sold the project to all the new players last Summer and they all bought into it. Lets hope they are all still around for part 2 of the project. Yesterdays board appointments shows the ambition of Radz and the 49ers. We have one if the top men in big project building works and stadium development. We have one of the top Italian football club owners, which will assist in buying other football clubs as part of the Leeds group of clubs. Plus have Italian players more available and all the insight into the players. As we expected Berardi and Pablo will be gone by Monday morning. Thanks for the special memories guys
He was the only Leeds player you could try and excuse for getting a red card - simply because he was Berra!!!
God it's windy today my eyes keep watering. "I came with a empty bag. but, it's not empty anymore it's full and heavy" It's not even Sunday and I'm already a broken man.
If you boys think you are teary eyed now imagine how you will be when the club announce Eunan O Kane & Ouasim Bouy will be leaving.
Who!!!??? Thankyou for everything Berra, especially those leg breaking challenges Fair play to Souness for being man enough and admit he was wrong I wonder if those ****ers slagging us off will do the same, especially Agbonlahor, I doubt it.
Alan Brazil and ginger whinger have both said this morning they were wrong on Bamford, wrong on Bielsa and burnout and wrong on the team
