The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 3rd April)

Good Morning. It's Friday 3rd April, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road

Leeds targeting German International Centre Back

Leeds United are monitoring the situation of Freiburg's centre back Robin Koch.

The 23yo has been rewarded for his outstanding displays by forcing his way in to German Manager Joachim Low’s plans.

Koch is valued at 18m, but as the former Kaiserslautern player reaches the final year of his contract, it is believed that Freiberg will listen for offers around 11m.

Experienced German agent Jorg Neblung was quoted as saying

"The classic selling clubs will be affected. Clubs that buy and train players cheaply to generate sales with sales
- Freiburg for example," he said. "The transfer fees for Luka Waldschmidt, Robin Koch and co will no longer be as high as a few weeks ago."

Much will depend on whether the Whites are promoted to the Premier League. Spurs are also believed to be interested in the young centre back.

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Could Social media backlash affect Ayala transfer

Leeds fans have taken to social media in their droves to express their anger at recent reports linking the Whites to a move for Boro central defender Daniel Ayala.

The former Spanish U21 International has racked up 175 appearances over his seven year tenure and is considered one of the first names on the team sheet at the Riverside.

He has never endured himself to the Leeds fans. His insidious behaviour on the pitch always seemed to go unnoticed by the man in black. Not even his choir boy expression of innocence will save him however, once he dons the famous White shirt at LS11.

Surely with his experience, signing the 6ft 3in towering centre back on a free transfer is a no brainer?

Thoughts?

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Are fitness levels dropping following Thorp Arch closure?

Ex Leeds midfielder Michael Brown believes that fitness levels of Leeds players are dropping.

The former tough tackling hard man believes that due to the unusual circumstances of having to train at home, coupled with the the tiredness players feel at the back end of the season, the sports scientists have a difficult task in front of them.

“I was speaking to someone in a fellow Championship club and the loading of the players and what they’re finding difficult is what programme to give them.

“Initially they’re sort of saying we’re coming to the back end of the season so they’re a little bit tired so initially we can rest that and give them a little bit of a top-up.

“But when you go after two weeks you need to start saying it’s an off-season plan, we need to start building up the volume because if we’re pushed back quite quickly the volume’s got to be in there in the legs.

“It’s a tricky one where you take the rest to actually getting the loading back up to starting again – that’s the key at what they’ve got to have to get right. The sports scientists are great but they’ve got to be careful for long. It’s such a very unusual situation.”

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Good morning,

I've always said we could do with more height in the team but not Ayala. I think we can do better. Wasn't it him that threw Ayling to the ground only to get penalty when Ayling reached out and grabbed his ankle in retaliation?

Every team is in the same boat with regards fitness so there's no excuse. It might be advantageous to us that we've got this break after all the talk of "Bielsa Burnout". No one will know until we start playing again.

 

Exactly what tommo said regarding fitness, small squads should benefit from the break the most. If we do conclude the season we’re in a good spot. Sadly I think it’s becoming less likely so I’m hoping we get awarded a promotion spot if they decide not to restart this season

 

Morning Tommo, yes thats the one.

As a squad player it would be a no brainer, especially on a free. It would be interesting to see comparables between Ayala and Cooper.

 

Morning all. I’ve always believed this season would be many months away from finishing if ever. At some point authorities will be likely forced to call it a day and make some really difficult decisions. As for transfers, there won’t be any until the new financial landscape in football is clear. By January, players may still have today’s value but equally may only have 25% of current valuations. Clubs will also need to wait to see what next seasons revenue will consist of. So who in their right mind will be shooting for players

 

I'd say Ayala is actually a better player than Cooper but then again so was Jansson and most now agree we're better without him. No doubt Ayala would improve the squad on paper but I do wonder if the money could be better spent elsewhere.

 

Thought he was on a free?

 

I'm thinking more from a wage point of view. He couldn't be any worse than some of the donkeys we've had on high wages before though.

 

Maybe I'm not looking at it from a footballing perspective, but I personally would hate to see him at ER. I don't even rate him myself, but then again I've not seen his performances week in week out. I think he'd divide opinion on the terraces. As for the fitness talk, as we are one of if not the fittess side in the Championship, I'm not worried about that issue. Morning all by the way.

 

I'd ask the question, why are boro getting rid of him and on a free. If's they think he's not good enough for them, why the hell would we think he's good enough for us.

 

I think he might just be the dirty, nasty bastard we’ve been missing for a while. Like you though not seen him enough to know how good he is or not.

 

Good Morning to Matt and co from cell block o
I think Ayala would be a steal for free .He wants to join Leeds and will give height in defence and attack.I believe Boro are going through a period of saving moneyso they have to let him go

Perhaps we will know when the season will resume but the longer it goesI think we will be given a ticket to the big league
Hope it pans out betterthan Villa and Norwich I must say I am surprised Villa are doing so badly perhaps it was a move to soon for them
Grealish that brainless oaf has meen told that MU no longer want him and who can blame any club for wanting him now

 

When I have seen him on the box, he's always being a cheating dirty bastard. I don't like him, but that's just me London..

 

Boro paid big wages up till recently, probably need to reduce costs.

 

I agree, I hate him....but if as 64 says he was our cheating dirty bastard, I might love him.

 

Fair enough

 

I just think he may upset the team spirit. There are certain players that I never want to see at Leeds United, regardless how good they are and he is one of them.

 

I feel the same way with Ayala as I did with Diouf, I f'ing hate him. And if he came to Leeds, then someone should break both his legs

 

They are desperate for him to stay, but his contract ends, and he wouldn't sign another one