Last Summer the number of transfer stories was massive and I think we were linked to over 40 players who were deffo coming to Leeds, and we all saw names like Buendia, De Paul, Benrhama etc mentioned. I would suggest that this Summer we will see many more because we think we will be signing 5 new players. Last Summer the only player mentioned that actually happened was Robin Koch, and he was only mentioned in a coupleof places days before it happened. All the other names were clickbait in reality, yes we enquired about one or two but names like Todd Cantwell were pushed by his agent. It shows how Leeds work and do things in secrecy as Llorente, Raphinha and Rodrigo were all great surprises. I think we may as well keep a list of names mentioned and check just how few if any will be correct. This week alone speculation has started and I have found plenty of names. A couple have been mentioned before and the club have accepted contact has been made on one or two, but its speculation bingo time: Rodrigo De Paul - Udinesi Erik Pulgar - Fiorentina Romain Perraude - Brest Tuen Koopmeiners - AZ Alkmar Douglas Costa - Juventus Orkun Kokcu - Feyenoord Michael Olise - Reading Sam Johnstone - WBA Patrick Van Aarnholt - Palace Lucas Vazquez - Real Madrid Yasser Larouci - Liverpool Ivan Tony - Brentford Nicolas N’Kulou - Torino
Thing is although a lot of this stuff is agents stirring and desperate websites after click bait, we probably have ‘enquired’ about most of them and countless others. Not officially, of course but checked if they’re up for a move, whether they’d come. The players know who’s watching them, the clubs will ask to be kept abreast if they become available etc etc. I’d like the Brest left back and olise myself but we might want someone more established for the ‘klich’ position.
I think the problem we have in midfield is that we would need to either have a fully trained up internal candidate as back up for Phillips as we have lost too many games this season when hes missing. That is possible as Bielsa likes Kenneh and Jenkins from the 23s but now also have Koch or Llorente. To buy a top player would be hard as they are not going to sit on the bench and wait for a chance they would expect to start. So that means a younger player who is willing to learn from Bielsa and bide his time? Having the replacement for Klich or Rodrigo will need a top recognised baller and thats where I believe we will be looking and would like to think he would be of the quality of De Paul or even Erickson
Re, Phillips backups - every single person who's taken his place has been very good at the defensive duties, but it's his contribution to the attack that none have mastered. The boy appears to be unique, certainly to our squad, and this seems to be recognised by Bielsa, as there is a clear pattern of midfielders dropping back to pick up the ball to create when he doesn't play. Indeed, it's like we always operated before Phillips at CDM came along. I personally don't think he'll ever be matched, far less replaced.
I’ll put it as a sticky as soon as we’ve finished with the run in thread mate otherwise we have too much up there
Mateusz Bogusz (out on loan at Logrones in the Spanish 2nd division) is natural cover for both Klich and Phillips and is adept at either role apparently. Wouldn't be surprised if he was recalled for next season. His season so far in Spain consists of 20 appearances, one goal and one assist. He was also out for a few weeks after contracting Covid in January. The standard is considered to be at least on a par with the Championship, so not too shabby. Still only 19 so plenty of time to improve. He'll already be aware of and well acquainted with the Bielsa philosophy, and Klich himself said he'll development into a better player than him. Worth another go I reckon.
Can't see us signing Sam Johnstone. personally can only see it happening if we were to sell Meslier. Meslier is our Number One. Johnstone is a Number One. He will not come to Leeds and sit on the bench playing 2nd fiddle to a 21 year old, Both Keepers are improving at a decent rate and both Keepers are already Number One's in the best League in the world.. They are also showcasing for international duty. you can't showcase anything sitting on a bench. Sam Johnstone going anywhere as a Number 2 is a backward step in his current position. unless he wants money more than a name for himself. Even if he comes in as a Number One the tables just reverse. Meslier then will look at it as a backward step going to a Number 2. Either way one of them is not going to play many games unless of course it's a major injury. I think we need a number 2 who will give Meslier experience someone he can learn off. who also can be called on if ever needed. not necessarily someone old as there are alot of youngish experienced keepers out there who are already Number twos and happy to play that role.
We have an experienced no2, he unfortunately is a clown..... it's the same in any position for me you fight for your place and if you're in the role you try you're damned hardest to stay there
I suggest you start getting used to Elia Caprile as No2. Bielsa bought him from Italian giants and you dont spend big bucks on a young keeper unless you have a plan for him. Caprile has been playing well for the 23s. Week before last Bielsa went to Wolves to watch the kids and then replaced Kiko on the bench with Caprile for the next match?
We also bought a young Dutch keeper last Summer and I suspect he will be next seasons U23 keeper and Caprile moved to the first team? Behind Van De Heauval we have a young Australian called Cooper Skerry and lets remember that last Summer we released a really good young Polish keeper Kamel Miazek. There is obviously a plan for keepers
Caprile as a back up to Meslier is definitely the way forward and a huge improvement on Coco. Be good if he gets a game in an end of season dead rubber.
I've been a fan of Cooper Skerry ever since I met him. That was even before I watched him play. In that particular match, Liam Cooper was making a comeback after injury, and believe me, he's never been shouted at in such a manner by anyone, far less a 16yo - especially when the abuse was merited. Loved it. Not sure our captain liked being called out by a kid, right enough. Everyone else present did! Moral of the story - this kid is not scared of anyone or anything. Typical product of Oz, balls the size of Chesh.