Good Morning. It's Thursday 7th July, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road Leeds end pursuit of Nandez The Athletic have stated that a deal to bring Nahitan Nandez to Elland Road this Summer is unlikely. The highly talented Uruguayan International would no doubt add bite to Leeds midfield, but his €36 million price tag seems a step too far financially, even if Leeds were allowed to split the installments over two seasons. Instead, Bielsa is keen to bring in a talented young central midfielder who he can develop into a player who perfectly fits Leeds’ system and playing style. Talks between Messrs Orta / Radrizzani and Cagliari President Tommaso Giulini have been frantic over the last fortnight. Both sides trying to put a deal together; unfortunately it looks like Leeds will walk away and continue their search elsewhere. please log in to view this image Leeds finally land McGurk After a year of tracking, Leeds have finally landed highly rated attacking midfielder Sean McGurk to their roster. The 18yo's contract ran out last week at the DW Stadium, where Leeds were waiting to snap him up, under the noses of a host of top tier sides. McGurk will reunite with ex Latics Joe Gelhardt, who hopefully will be breaking into the first team shortly. Due to the youngsters age, a tribunal will still set a fee even though McGurk is out of contract. Paul Kendrick of the Wigan Observer told the YEP a few months ago: "McGurk has been in outstanding form for the Under 18s side this term, and may even be fast-tracked into the first team set-up after the squad lists are confirmed for the second half of the campaign - when he wouldn't 'count' for quota purposes." please log in to view this image Are Leeds planning Euro challenge this season? After an stunning first season back in the top flight after sixteen years, many would suggest that the Whites would settle for stability and solidity to maintain their ninth place finish, but what if Bielsa had bigger and better ideas? Leeds won seven out of their last eleven games, drawing three and losing just the once against Brighton. This included a 2-1 win at the Etihad, a 3-1 win against Spurs and credible draws against Manchester Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool. The recent signing of Firpo may suggest that Leeds are ready to move to the next stage and challenge for a European spot. Whilst playing under one of the best best coaches in Europe would be an attractive proposition, what every player wants is first team football and silverware. It was claimed that Firpo was extremely impressed that Victor Orta was willing to put himself in quarantine, in order to meet up, whilst other agents had zoom calls with the 24yo. If Leeds are able to land Noa Lang, Nahitan Nandez and possibly Maxwell Cornet as a direct replacement for Helder Costa who's to say? Spurs took the final European spot for finishing 7th. They were awarded a place in the Europa Conference League, which is UEFA's new third-ranked European tournament. please log in to view this image
Morning all Always said we wouldnt pay £30m for Nahitan Nandez if we refused to pay £30m for Rodrigo De Paul last Summer. Yes would love to have him but why not buy a young talent who can be coached into playing like Nandez. Parrera, Olise or even O’Brien, will Shackelton fulfil his promise? Debate all you want but Bielsa wont be far away from a European place at the end of the season: Meslier Ayling, Koch, Llorente, Junior Phillips Raphinha, Rodrigo, Dallas, Harrison Bamford subs: Cooper, Roberts, Klich, Struijk, Gelhardt, Drameh, Costa, Poveda
Morning all, How did England get on last night Ell? I see no reason why we should not be making a push for Europe this season. The squad looks to be getting stronger. We have improved year upon year under Bielsa so the next logical step is European places.
Robbie Gotts has been told to find a new club, as was Niall Huggins earlier. Gotts is contracted until next Summer but is now surplus to requirements as Bielsa must feel they will not make it at Leeds Utd. Casey has already been sold. McCalmont loaned out, Bogutsz loaned out and also Edmondson
Afternoon all I think we’re a couple of players short of pushing for a European slot and lots of teams who do well first season have an indifferent one the following so for me the first target is enough points to avoid relegation. I think it’s a tricky situation as we need to challenge or we risk losing the likes of Philips and Raphinha. Personally I feel Harrison is decent but he has a good few off days, Klich lost his form and I fear he might not be PL material, Bamford still misses a lot of chances, Poveda and Costa are huge question marks. On paper you’d hope Firpo is an improvement over Alioski. I’m a little surprised we’re not going after a £30m attacker as surely the budget is there?
Dont disagree with any of that, but would only add that we got less than half a season from Rodrigo Llorente and Koch, so any minutes available over what they gave last season is a massive bonus. We lost Phillips through suspension and injury for a few games and had less than average results in those games. We lost Raphinha for a few games too, plus Cooper and due to that we had a bang average Klich. Having a fully rested Klich, Phillips, Llorente, Koch and Rodrigo will be a boost, plus having a much better LB in Junior will reduce the errors that Alioski made which reduces the threat. I think we will have another addition plus Im hearing hat Gelhardt is looking mean and never been as fit.
I think with a good run with injuries we could be knocking on the European door. 2nd seasons are hard to predict though. For me, the squad is light on attacking/central midfielder (we’ve chased them in the past- cuissance etc) … even though we’ve turned dallas into one… and whilst we’re not shy of wide men, we’re light on right footers to give balance. if we only add youth players from now, it seems a bit conservative, but bielsa and small squad etc!
Last night Spain blew it with great chances during normal time. Then they had a great chance to win on penalties. Come on England be smart and give the bacon boys nothing.
I don’t believe the injuries to Cooper, Koch and Llorente cost us much to be honest with you, when you’re looking at any two from Koch, Llorente, Cooper and Struijk I think it’s very fine margins. I’m more hopeful about Koch, Llorente or Struijk offering decent cover if Philips is missing next season, I’d like Rodrigo to start ahead of Bamford but I feel we really are an attacking midfielder short.
I'm with ristac on this. I'd love a central midfielder to come in. Conor Gallagher would be ideal with his energy and quality. As for a quality striker, I'm hoping Rodrigo can reproduce his late season form all season for us and young Gelhardt might just be the guy to save us 30 million. We have enough quality to solidify our PL status. We should be stronger than last year.
Don't see how a loan deal to Ibiza will benefit us with Bogusz. Already had a spell in Spain if he was going anywhere with us surely playing in the English leagues would make sense. Think he's another who we have given up on but is kept just incase something just clicks with him. Gotts had alot of good words in our youth set up but seems to be another one who peaked and never built on his talent like a Chris Dawson. Not saying he won't make it but totally agree in letting him go. We have to separate the wheat from the chaff. As on the 1st team I agree I think we are short in the middle and need another body. Klich is decent on his day but was like Alioski last season some days you say wow then other days you say hmm he's out his depth. Mr versatile Dallas you can't fault but both players defo will need a helping hand and I would be very happy with another good body in there.
Really wierd at times as Gotts was wanted by Huddersfield Town because Corberan knew what he was getting. This would have been playing in the Championship but the club decided to send him to League 2 Lincoln City where he failed. He was then sent to Salford where he played well but obviously not well enough for the club. Bogutsz was touted as being the next big thing and as a 17yo was one of the best players in the U23s but the following season he went backwards so sent out on loan and has done nothing in Spain. Leggia Warsaw want him back and have offered to buy him or at least get him on loan, but the club say no get on the plane to Spain? So many great kids are not making it. Pearce, Davies, Gotts, Hosannah, Stevens, Edmondson, McCalmont, Shackelton, Casey, Diaz, Mujica, Kun…… we have to hope that the kids we spent cash on like Gelhardt, Drameh, Summerville, Allen, Miller, Greenwood and McGurk break through in the next season or 2
Every season the same hopes if none break through this season then that's it. We will just become an u23s selling club.
Guess everyone finds there level mate. Of course some may slip through the net and go onto better things. but, as they say we can't keep everyone and decisions have to be made. I have to say many Fans wouldn't disagree with the latest decisions we have made, lets be honest here too the staff see a lot more of them than we do on a daily basis. I do have a good feeling about a few of the bunch you mentioned Cresswell,Dramah,Gelhardt,Summerville They have come back to training in great shape Cresswell is looking very muscular he's also filling out and growing into his frame. Gelhardt too has come back looking the part. It's getting the fine balance now I'm sure Gelhardt was shocked last pre season he knew he had a lot to work on to get in the 1st team and was a bit of shock to the system in how fit he had to be. he's responded by coming back this season in the best shape ever to kick the ground running in Pre Season as well as a few of the others. These lads now have upped a few levels and want to be noticed and are beginning to knock on the door.
