Good Morning. It's Monday 12th December, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Phillip Max on Leeds shortlist PSV star Phillip Max has joined Victor Orta's short list for an attacking left back ahead of next month's transfer window. The 29yo has barely missed a game for the Dutch giants since arriving from Augsburg in the summer of 2020. In 114 appearances, he has netted 8 goals and 20 assists. It is understood that PSV have money problems, and with his contract running out in 18 months, they want to cash in on the three time German International. Whoscored tell a slightly different story. He may have played almost 1300 minutes of game time, but with only two assists (and no goals), he finds himself languishing in 17th place with a rating of just 6.64. In contrast, Kai Wagner (25) topped Philadelphia Union's charts with an average score of 7.26, and nine assists, whilst Portuguese International Raphaël Guerreiro (29 in two weeks) is a credible fifth in Borussia Dortmund's squad (6.88). please log in to view this image Would £50m be too good to turn down After a solid start to his Leeds career, coupled with the stalwart performances during the World Cup, it has been suggested that Tyler Adams price-tag may have risen to £50m. The 23yo penned a five-year contract during the Summer after RB Leipzig labelled the combative midfielder surplus to requirements, in a deal worth £20m. Sitting two points above the drop zone, Leeds can't afford to lose one of their best players, but at the same time money is tight, and Marsch is in desperate need of a centre forward and a left back. Considering his age, and length of contract, do Leeds need to sell Adams, should a suitable offer come in, or would it spell the end of Leeds top flight tenure? please log in to view this image Is it mission impossible Leeds struck gold with the players they bought in during the Summer. Adams, Arronson, Roca and Sinisterra took to life in the Premier League like a duck to water; and after a poor start, even Kristensen has more than lived up to his price tag. The voids at left back, and up front have been well documented, but Struijk and Rodigo have more than plugged the gaps, especially as short term solutions. With this being the case, why do Leeds find themselves in the same predicament as last season? Should Leeds have been more ruthless during the Summer in moving on some of the old guard? Costa, Povada, Roberts, Shackleton, James and Davis have all moved on, or found temporary new housing, yet there still seems to be a awful lot of dead wood around! Is it fair to say since arriving back in the top flight, Leeds have rested on their laurels, ignoring the gulf between the top flight and the Championship? Bielsa's players more than held their own in the short term, but once the honeymoon period had come to an end, did we really expect them to repeat their feat? We must remember (in Bielsa's own words), his players had a three-year shelf life due to his rigorous training methods. Bearing this in mind, have Klich, Bamford, Ayling, Llorente, Dallas, Forshaw, Cooper and even Koch outstayed their welcome? Have Leeds left it too late to clear the decks? Are they paying the price now for their complacency? Is it now mission impossible to try and resurrect these mistakes? please log in to view this image
Morning all Cannot see Leeds buying a 29yo full back as it goes against the original plan. Dead wood and lots of it and should have been actioned in the summer. Tyler Roberts yet again not even on QPRs bench at the weekend. Shackelton got a few minutes as sub, Poveda not getting game time at Blackpool all need offloading. Cresswell not getting a kick at the weekend but still seems doing a job at the Wall. James doesn’t fit and can’t get a game with Fulham and even the Wales team. He’s not a prem player and we got rinsed by scum. Ayling, Cooper, Dallas, Forshaw and Klich. Expecting something to happen in January but needs further action in the summer
The best thing to say on Adams is that he has increased in value by 150% which is great. We lost one player for £50m who hardly played for us last season so on paper we are no worse off because Adams players Phillips didn’t. Kristensen is worth more too and Aaronson hasn’t lost any value. Raphinha’s replacement needs to get fit and show us what he can do.
MAX This lad is quality, and at 29 still a good age to bring in ... here's the thing, a good left back is a rare thing, so finding a superb 22 year old left back who's actually for sale is literally mission impossible ... I'd take Max right now, not only will he fix our left back issue but also add much needed experience to the team ... Wagner is also a good option for sure ... will the board cough up though? maybe the 49ers will be happy to lob in a few million to get Wagner into their Team USA project ADAMS Simply can't afford to sell Adams, regardless ... this kid is our long term future, next season he will inherit the number 4 shirt and be our captain for many years to come ... build a team around him rather than cash in MISSION POSSIBLE If the board steps up and adds at least two quality players (left back and striker) then Leeds will be in good shape for what's going to be a very demanding second half of the season ... there's still 24 games to go, and there will be a few Championship style Saturday/Tuesday fixtures to cope with ... will be even harder on the squad if there's a Cup run as well ... the board has to dig deep right now, and if possible bring in four new faces in January, two minimum Now onto the "old guard" ... Cooper and Koch are still our best centre back pairing right now, that's not going to change ... Klich is going to cost a minimum of £15m to replace, and it's going to be difficult in the Jan window to find good players who are available ... Ayling is starting to look like his old self, and covers centre back as well if there's an injury during the game or JM wants to go three at the back ... Forshaw is still a quality player, and if he's good for 20 minutes per game to the end of the season then that's a win ... Llorrente is needed as cover, and Dallas is looking like February he'll be back ... keep the "old guard" to the end of the season for now, just add new faces in Jan, we're going to need a bigger squad for the demands of the make or break second half of the season The board took a big risk last season, they gambled on Bielsa's team being good enough after their deserved 9th place finish in 2021, even though he made it clear he needed fresh legs ... they refused to spend £10m on O'Brien, a player Bielsa wanted, and they wouldn't push the boat out to get Galllagher in from Chelsea ... they kept their fingers crossed the squad would stay healthy, and of course the worst happened Time for them to man up and dig deep, if they don't strengthen significantly they may well regret it big time
Club to support children in the local area this Christmas. Elland Road will host an Open Training session on Tuesday 20th December 2022, which will be in full support of Mission Christmas - allowing donations to be made whilst also having a day of fun with the first team squad. The event, which begins at 5pm, will be free entry for all Season Ticket holders and Members that wish to attend. Supporters will be able to get an up-close insight into how Jesse Marsch and his staff prepare the side in the build-up to a game. The concourse and turnstiles will open on the East Stand Lower only, from 4pm. Whilst the players and first team staff will be training on the pitch, a number of fun activities have been planned within the East Stand for supporters to further enjoy the day. We are asking all supporters who attend, if they are able to do so, to either donate to Mission Christmas through bucket collections, or bring a gift which can go directly to a child in the area on Christmas Day. Mission Christmas is a campaign set up by Cash For Kids, designed to help Santa reach children living in poverty. The charity is in place for the children that need it most across the UK. The club have worked closely with the charity for a number of years and will now do so once again, with players and staff offering their support through a significant contribution. Along the concourse at the Open Training we will have a 360 degree photo booth to use, face painters, a popular balloon modeller, club legends playing dizzy penalties and meeting fans, as well as our famous mascot Kop Cat going round to see you all! The Leeds United Superstore will also remain open all day and close late in the evening, for any of your own remaining Christmas shopping. Thousands of children across the region wake up to no presents on Christmas Day. At Leeds United, we want to ensure that number is significantly reduced and joy can be brought to as many young faces as possible. Mobile tickets will be issued for entry. Season Ticket Holders and Members can secure up to 10 free tickets for the event, but must claim their ticket in advance and online only. https://www.leedsunited.com/news/te...open-training-in-support-of-mission-christmas
Evening all Unless cheap I can’t see us spending on a 29 year old left back, would he wish to spend his final years at a club fighting relegation?