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Stick or Twist?

Discussion in 'Leeds United' started by Whitejock, Mar 25, 2020.

  1. Whitejock

    Whitejock Well-Known Member

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    Interesting article. Too early to discuss? Will we jinx ourselves if we discuss? You decide .... :)

    https://www.leeds-live.co.uk/sport/...X1ksPIAmtEck_LXeXZEJU_jdjQkynKW3H7JBL7PvVlQUw

    Four players could leave Leeds United this summer as transfer status of every squad member assessed
    Beren Cross runs the rule over the Whites squad as Victor Orta and Marcelo Bielsa map out the route they take if promoted

    Leeds United are on course for promotion to the Premier League (whenever the season restarts) and Victor Orta will already be planning for life in the top flight.

    The Whites will head into a critical summer transfer window (whenever that is) in order to make themselves ready for the best footballers on the planet.

    If United do get over the line their budgets will be transformed and entirely new sectors of the transfer market will be opened to them.

    Whatever business Orta looks to do on incomings will be affected by those already in the squad and their fates.

    We’ve gone through the whole squad and made some predictions of what could be on the cards.

    Illan Meslier - Keep
    With Kiko Casilla’s future up in the air, the Frenchman is the club’s de facto number one goalkeeper.
    On loan from Lorient with an option for the Whites to keep him, you have to think they keep him on, most likely as a back-up if they’re in the top flight.

    Luke Ayling - Keep
    Signed a long-term deal this season and kicked on again under Marcelo Bielsa in this campaign to be one of, if not, the best right-backs in the second tier. Fully deserving of a shot in the big time and his Championship credentials make him well placed to make the transition.

    Barry Douglas - Keep
    Few would argue this move has gone the way many expected when he was snapped up in the deal of the summer in 2018. After taking the division by storm with Wolverhampton Wanderers, the Elland Road faithful are still to see the Scot at his best. Not the first name you would put on the teamsheet in the top flight, but more than good enough to scrap with Ezgjan Alioski as Stuart Dallas’s understudy. If Orta were tempted to go after a more natural left-back than Dallas, Douglas may find himself in the shop window.

    Adam Forshaw - Keep
    The season has not worked out at all how the Liverpudlian would have wanted, but his absence has been felt and that bodes well for his chances in 2020/21. Needs one hell of a pre-season to get up to speed for whenever the new season would start.

    Ben White - Keep (try to)
    This one does not need much debate. The defender will be playing in the top flight for someone next season. If the Whites are promoted they have a serious chance of making it happen, not just because of the cash influx, but also the player’s settled here. Money talks in football and you have to think if any of the top six want him enough they blow United out of the water on salary.

    Liam Cooper - Keep
    Captain and always improving under Bielsa. Will come under immense pressure with the best of the world’s strikers facing him.

    Ian Poveda - Keep
    Only at Elland Road for five minutes and a long way to go before any judgement is made on him. LeedsLive understands he was left out of the picture in the last few matches because he was still transitioning into Bielsa’s system. If he gets a good pre-season under his belt and makes the changes Bielsa wants, Poveda has the technical ability to change matches in the Premier League.
    Patrick Bamford - Keep
    A controversial figure in the line-up for some fans because of his lack of goals, but Bielsa has stuck by him for so long you cannot see that changing if they win promotion. The Argentine puts tactical familiarity above most things in the players he uses. Bamford is entirely synchronised with the team instructions and will get his chance if they go up.

    Ezgjan Alioski - Keep
    Had his moments of horror throughout Bielsa’s first season, putting question marks around his status in the squad. However, he has responded emphatically this season. Reliability has improved and the engine is never empty when he is bombing up and down the left flank. In a similar boat to Douglas. More than capable as a back-up option in several positions, but if the club flexes its muscles in the transfer market he could be one who finds himself too far down the pecking order.

    Tyler Roberts - Keep
    The forward’s trajectory is only going one way if he can just stay fit. One of the finds of the Orta era if he can keep out of Rob Price’s way. More than good enough for the big boys if he finds some consistent match time.
    Kiko Casilla - Sell
    Ever since The Football Association published its written reasons for banning the goalkeeper, this one has looked more and more likely. Casilla has only been in the UK for 14 months and you don’t sense he would take much convincing to see out the rest of his career in Spain. Had the club’s highest earner been performing consistently as the best stopper in the Championship it may have proved a harder sell, but he simply hasn’t got to that level enough to justify a Premier League berth.

    Stuart Dallas - Keep
    As with Ayling and Cooper, the club set its stall out with a long-term contract for the Northern Ireland international last autumn. Surely the best season of his career. So versatile, so reliable. Crucial for the club moving forward.

    Helder Costa - Keep
    This one’s already done for us. The club is tied into this permanent deal, which technically ends as a loan this summer. Like Douglas, nowhere near his Wolves level yet, but he has the attributes to be a classic second-season bloomer under Bielsa.

    Pablo Hernandez - Keep
    Another to sign a new deal this season. Hard to disagree he looked a little leggy in some of those midweek away trips this term, but enough technical and mental ability to see him through. Would arguably have more time on the ball in the top flight. Arguably.

    Jack Harrison - Keep
    Unlike White’s, this permanent deal is virtually done. All parties would be happy with making this happen, especially in the top flight.

    Kalvin Phillips - Keep
    Do we need to waste your time?

    Gaetano Berardi - Release
    Take the emotion out of it. Commanding at his best under Bielsa, especially in the early months of last season, but gets too few minutes to generate any consistency. He is prone to rash tackles and errors at this level, which would only be further exposed in the top flight. An easy keep as a back-up option if he were under contract, but with his deal expiring, is this a natural time to end the love affair? Turns 32 in August too.

    Jean-Kevin Augustin - Don’t sign
    United are understood to be obliged to sign the French striker if they win promotion, but the ball would be in his court on whether he would want that to happen. If this season’s suspension has suited anyone it’s Augustin, who is now working to get himself into shape before the final nine matches get going again. As it stands, the jury is out and few would be upset if he wasn’t around next term. However, some magic during the run-in and he may be the x-factor needed in the Premier League.

    Mateusz Klich - Keep
    Almost as easy a decision as it would be to keep Phillips. One of those you really have very few doubts about making the step up.

    Jamie Shackleton - Keep
    The future of the club in many ways. Will only continue to improve. Must be said injuries have become an issue for him this term and stalled his progress. Must keep out of the treatment room next season to kick on again.
     
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  2. Eireleeds1

    Eireleeds1 Well-Known Member

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    Too early for me but here’s a question that article brings up. What will happen to summer transfer season? I saw someone say it may have to extend to December. In that case what would happen to the January one.
     
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  3. Gessa

    Gessa Well-Known Member

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    I can see there being no window next season.
    Transfers allowed all season.
     
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  4. Eric Le Merde

    Eric Le Merde Well-Known Member

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    To make any of these worth keeping we have to keep Bielsa. Does anybody know what would happen in this regard if we are promoted?

    I wouldn't keep Douglas, Klich, Bamford or Alioski. We would also need to recruit a new Pablo, Dallas, Ayling and a striker or two at least.
     
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  5. Whitejock

    Whitejock Well-Known Member

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    Interesting you mention Bielsa. I was thinking about him.

    I think we're all under the impression that he's off if we don't get promoted - and who could blame him? So at the end of his contract on June 30th, or whenever, what happens if this season is still running, and we're not doing so well? What if another team has tapped him up & he's out of contract, as he won't extend for another year until he knows our outcome?

    It's a bit of a worry for me. I wish they'd get a short-term 'bridge' contract in place asap so it just can't happen. I know he's a man of principle, but if we don't put something in place, he might feel undervalued & bugger off. He has previous.
     
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  6. 2020VisionofLeeds

    2020VisionofLeeds Well-Known Member

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    Well yes we have to make him feel wanted, but I always think of him as having an almost ‘autistic’ style of focus - he’ll surely want to finish it off and get us promoted.

    I’d like to see how it went in the Prem, too. Hopefully he’d stay for that if we go up.
     
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  7. Eric Le Merde

    Eric Le Merde Well-Known Member

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    That's what I mean. I've always assumed that Bielsa would stay if we get promoted but does he see promotion as his goal or does he want to manage the big money Prima Donnas? Maybe he thrives on overachieving with limited resources i.e. Chile.
     
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  8. ristac

    ristac Well-Known Member
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    I think it depends on Rads and investors or buyers. If Rads wishes to remain in charge with that limited budget he’ll provide it’s going to be vital that we keep Bielsa. If however there is a rich oil tycoon waiting to snap us up and invest big money then I don’t mind Bielsa leaving.

    He is great at turning an average group into looking outstanding at this level but for the PL we will need better players, nearly all these players come with a personality that Bielsa finds hard to handle.
     
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  9. Whitejock

    Whitejock Well-Known Member

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    I'm fairly confident he'll stay if we go up. I'm also fairly confident he's off if we don't.

    I'm just intrigued what'll happen if the season goes beyond the end of his current contract (and we ain't doing so good). Will he sign a short term contract, or just move on to his next club if he thinks there's a good chance we won't go up? I'm counting on his, as you put it, 'autistic' approach, but .....
     
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  10. JonnyLosAngeles

    JonnyLosAngeles Well-Known Member

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    I trust the man to see the project trough, whatever it takes!

    How are you doing WJ? Over the disappointment of the trip? All in the family staying healthy despite the challenges?
     
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  11. Whitejock

    Whitejock Well-Known Member

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    Was just saying to a pal there that I was furious about getting slung off the ship, but I'm coming round to their decision now. Think they could have managed it better, but I recognise their foresight. All well here. So far. How's it going your end? Bet you're glad you don't live in NY. You locked down like us?
     
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  12. JonnyLosAngeles

    JonnyLosAngeles Well-Known Member

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    Very tough situation all over the country and the world!

    NY is in the hands of a very good governor who knows what he needs to do! Likewise in CA we gave a smart governor. On a National basis we are in deep trouble. The president has no clue!!! None!

    We are in a “Safer to Stay Home” environment in CA and about 20 other states, a lightly enforced lockdown.

    I go out once a day to either exercise or go to a supermarket/drugstore/bank but I wear gloves and long sleeves staying 6 feet away from the next person.

    I’m not paranoid or afraid but being very careful!

    Stay safe and healthy, everybody!!
     
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