Good Morning. It's Wednesday 9th September, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road. Leeds turn their attention to PSG ace, following Du Paul snub Soccer Media sources have announced that Leeds have turned their attention to German International Julian Draxler following a €35 million bid for Rodrigo De Paul being knocked back. The West Yorkshire club believe Udinese have moved the goal posts, due to the added attention their star midfielder has attained since being linked to a move to Elland Road. Udinese have now told Leeds they want €40m for De Pauls services! Attacking midfielder Draxler, 26yo has netted 11 times in 89 appearances for French giants PSG since his transfer from Wolfsberg two seasons ago. Although he hasn't set the World alight at Le Parc des Princes, the fact he has already amassed over 50 caps for Germany tells you how highly though of, he is! Prising Draxler away from Paris won't be easy. He has already rejected approaches from the Bundesliga saying he doesn't want to leave the French capital! please log in to view this image Lambs to the slaughter at the Crown Ground Leeds fans took to social media last night to criticise Bielsa's last minute decision to play their U18 team against League 1 opposition Accrington Stanley in the EFL Trophy last night. Originally, the much more experienced U23's were due to play, but Bielsa took the decision that maximising first team training was more important, and with an in-house game planned for today, the Argentine would need the majority of the U23's. Unfortunately, this meant that the U18's were sent out like 'lambs to the slaughter' and whilst many players would have benefitted in one way or another a 7-0 scoreline never looks good!!! Is anyone concerned about the lack of first team preparation? please log in to view this image Zagreb want 23m for their star defender Leeds have submitted an improved offer for Dinamo Zagreb's star defender Josko Gvardiol. Marcelo Bielsa’s side have already been knocked back once by the Croatian outfit, but Leeds have now upped their bid to 20m, with a 20% sell on clause Zagreb have told Leeds, if they go up to 23m, the player is theirs!!! please log in to view this image
Morning all, Draxler would be a hell of a signing but unlikely I think. 7-0 sounds bad but it was literally men against boys and from all accounts despite the scoreline the boys acquitted themselves well. I think Kalvin had a good game last night despite awful team selection and tactics from Southgate. His stats certainly back that up.
The Draxler story was broken by the same guy who gave us Big Kev so a top guy and then the top guy in Paris gave some more details so a kosher enquiry. The French guy said Draxler wants to stay but has been told by Lowe the German manager he needs to play regular to get his place back in the National side, so you would think he would need to move. Then to back up Chesh I heard the top German journo who said Draxlers plan was to sit on his arse and run his contract down and move on a free next Summer and earn loads of bonuses and pay rise with his new club. Fantastic player but a ****er. No thanks. On last nights school team we sent out I agree with Bielsa, its all about the first team and the 23s have a full on session playing the first team today as well as get ready for league action themselves on Saturday. They can play catch-up in the EFL cup as they still have to play Barrow and Blackpool I believe.
Morning all... First team preparation is the same for everyone, the difference is those with larger squads can prepare better. I’m concerned that first team wise we’re going to be starting the season not much stronger than last. We’ve made huge noises in the transfer market and come away with very little so far. Don’t get me wrong, I’m happy with the two first team players we’ve signed but that was absolute minimum. We had to replace Ben who was a replacement for Pontus, we’ve never replaced Saiz and Rodrigo replaces Roofe/Nketiah Rodrigo is a great signing but he won’t start against Liverpool, Koch is unknown, both need to get used to a Bielsa and a new life in the UK. I posted that elsewhere, I also mentioned I fail to see how an U21 bubble is any different to returning international players. We just shouldn’t have bothered entering if that was our intention. Three days away to a new season and Bielsa has not signed a contract, does that have anything to do with signings, failed signings, targets?
the odd returning International is different to a coach load of over 30 players, coaches and staff returning into a secure Covid bubble right before our first league match
I wouldn’t call it odd mate, there must have been at least 7 and they’ve all mixed with 30 others spread around the world and been on plane flights. I’d have said the returning international players present a far greater risk myself
There is no point in trying to sign a player who states that he wants to stay where he is. I feel we are panicking regarding another high profile signing. It was a pointless excercise sending a youth team in to play against a team with season pros and I hate to say it, we might have well have not entered the competition.(I know the u23s were due to play in it) I turned the England game on in the 30th minute and Philips mis judged a bouncing ball and was side stepped by a Danish player who nearly scored from it and that was within 5 mins of turning the game on. I wasn't impressed by his performance and even the pundits said he didn't add much to game.
I hope Koch starts otherwise we will be disjointed with Ayling at CB and Dallas at RB. If we get a point and concede fewer than two goals against Liverpool I’d be amazed
I've stated it many times, but I'm looking forward with trepidation to the match on Sat. There are a lot of Liverpool fans over here and they are all saying this is going to be a tough match for them. I hope so because a 5/6 thumping wouldn't be a great start.
Morning all. On the face of it not a smart move to play the kids against experienced players. It seems that other plans took priority. If the kids rolled their sleeves up and tried to compete it will be good experience and will benefit them when they next play a team at their level. NO player should be signed if he needs to be tempted to join the club.
Think we will give them a fright, like we did Arsenal, but unless we miss hit a few into the net, can't see us getting much from it.
