The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Tue 2nd June)

Good Morning. It's Tuesday 2nd June, and here are he latest headlines from Elland Road

Wilson deal edges closer

Various newspapers are reporting that Leeds are lining up a bid to bring Liverpool winger Harry Wilson to Elland Road this Summer in a 12m deal.

The 23yo winger has enjoyed a successful season on the South Coast at Dean Court amassing 23 appearances during this first Premier League season.

Liverpool have made it clear that Wilson is surplus to requirements and are willing to let him go for almost half the price of his valuation from last season, to free up funds.

Bielsa has failed twice to land the Welsh International, but with Promotion not far away, could Leeds be looking to purchase three wingers this Summer?

Leeds have already paid their first of four installments on Helda Costa (totalling 15m inclusive of loan) and look set to snap up Jack Harrison from Manchester City for a cut price 8m.

Wilson is also a free kick specialist. The majority of his seven goals have come directly from set pieces. Leeds have not had a free kick specialist since the days o9f Ian Harte over a decade ago.

Football pundit Noel Whelan believes Wilson would be a great addition to the Leeds squad:-

“It could be third time lucky,"

"He has gone to Bournemouth and Derby previously (instead of Leeds).

“He is a player that is admired by Marcelo Bielsa and a player that fits the bill when you look at style of play – an attacking midfielder that has technical ability on the ball.

“He has a little taste of Premier League football so if he is available I think Leeds will be interested.

“He seems like a very, very exciting player and a good addition.

"Coming from Liverpool, he has great pedigree and he has proven his worth at Derby. There is a player there.”

Do Leeds need Costa, Harrison and Wilson?

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Mutiny at Charlton

Struggling Charlton boss Lee Bowyer has been discussing the Addick's unfortunate predicament with players who are out of contract or at the end of the loan agreement with TalkSport

Leeds play Charlton on the last game of the season, and there is a real doubt that the South London club may not be able to field a senior side.

“We have 15 players out of contract, six loans and nine of our own. They finish at the end of June.

“Unfortunately for us, three of those players have said they’re not going to play. Lyle [Taylor] is one of them. That’s tough for us, Lyle is a big player for us. When he plays we win games.

“Lyle has said he’s not going to play because of risk to injury. Chris Solly is the same. David Davies on loan from Birmingham doesn’t want to come back. It’s just another hurdle. But we’ve got another 22/23 players who do want to play and that’s the most important thing.”

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QPR appalled by Championship restart

QPR Chief Executive Officer Lee Hoos says the club are appalled by Sunday’s announcement from the EFL regarding the restart of the season.

QPR CEO Hoos said: “I am absolutely stunned by this announcement, as is our Director of Football Les Ferdinand and our manager Mark Warburton.

“Incredibly, there has been absolutely no consultation with individual clubs nor with the Championship doctors' working group by the divisional representatives - or anyone else in the Football League – regarding this matter.

“On top of that, we were only made aware of the statement 40 minutes before it was made public.

“Having spoken with Les and Mark, they share my views. We are vehemently opposed to this schedule.

“The players haven’t even returned to full-contact training at this moment and yet they are now expected to be in a position to play at a competitive level in just three weeks’ time.

“I have made our feelings known to the EFL and, having spoken with a number of CEOs at other Championship clubs, I am not a lone voice on this matter.

“We are absolutely appalled.”

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Morning all... I’d say Costa and Harrison are good improving squad players. I’d imagine Wilson will be a good improving first team player. I don’t think it will be Harrison or Costa surplus to requirements, more likely it will be Alioski

 

Given Charlton haven't a team as such and QPR clearly will be nowhere near ready, The resumption could turn out to be a farce if there are more clubs either with depleted squads or ill prepared. Anyway, not our problem as our lot are clearly ready. I see Chelsea wanting rules changed to allow ten subs. How farcical could that get? Morning btw

 

If QPR aren't ready well then tough. They've been fed the same info as all the other clubs and have had the same time to prepare.

 

Probably a lot to do with them being exactly mid table with nothing to play for

 

Throughout the lockdown I've read snippets from various clubs saying that players are doing theit best to keep fit and active during isolation, obviously some will lose some of their sharpness but with three weeks notice of resuming the fixtures easily 95% should be ready to go again, the other 5% could still make a contribution, if a player still feels he doesn't want to risk it that is entirely up to them but don't expect to keep getting paid.
Apparently Lyle Taylor already has a club lined up and that is why he doesn't want a possible injury to balls thing up, I wouldn't want that type of player at my club and would drop the offer if I was a manager.

 

True...

 

In fairness if we were on 50 points and mid table, our lads could be going around with beer bellies by now too

 

Except they are only six points behind Preston. Preston have 56 points with nine to play.

 

Very good point about expecting to be paid whilst refusing to play. Their contracts / loans should be terminated with immediate effect as they are in breach. That'll give them something to moan about.

 

They clearly feel they've no chance as ppg won't get them anything

 

I know the feeling

 

It would be Karma if he got injured in his first training session with his new team...

 

Mauricio Pochettino pays Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa the ultimate compliment.

Pochettino has made no secret of his desire for Marcelo Bielsa after working under him.

Former Tottenham manager has declared that Leeds United boss Marcelo Bielsa should be respected like a World Cup winner.

Pochettino was trained by Bielsa with the Argentine national side and grew up at Newell's Old Boys, the club who named their stadium after Bielsa.

The 64-year-old is widely recognised as one of the most influential managers of his generation, despite the fact he has not lifted a top honour in European football.

That though is testament to the Leeds' boss impact, as he led the Argentina side, including a young Lionel Messi, to gold medal glory at the 2004 Olympics and led Athletic Bilbao to the Europa League final.

For Pochettino, while he might not have the top accolades that others in international and club management have, the respect for Bielsa should be just as high.

“Bielsa was an inspiration. He made us love football, motivated us to be able to follow this path as coaches. It was that, an inspiration for many of us who were led by him,” he told Pasion Celeste via Ole.

“What happens is that we live in a success-oriented society where winning for many people is almost the only thing and what matters. The processes and everything else are in the background.

“I wasn’t lucky to work with Bilardo and Menotti but having won the 78 and 86 World Cups, make both of them benchmarks for having won titles of such magnitude. It’s true that Marcelo could be included. Bielsa’s main asset is having created something different from Bilardo and Menotti. He may be a bit in the middle.

“It could be that he’s in a situation neither to one side nor the other… To be a benchmark at that level you have to win a title like a World Cup. I have a special affection for him and Marcelo can surely be a coach at their level, I can say yes. Same ability and same talent. But since today everything is measured through results, it isn’t easy for that to be accepted in a society like this.”

 

Just read Millwall have the easiest run in of any team in the championship, must have a fair chance of top 6,no wonder Ringo's getting all excited about football starting again.

 

Championship results are always notoriously difficult to predict. They’ll be ten times harder after the layoff and empty grounds so I don’t buy into anyone’s run in being easier than others tbh

 

There are no easy games in the Championship, but Barnsley, Charlton,Hull and QPR away are all winable, win two or three of the home games and play-offs here we come

 

We are very lucky to get Marcelo.

 

These player of Charlton I don't understand the vitreol directed at them. One is a loan brum player and never gets picked. Other two as I see it contracts end in June. So it will be ten days wages lost or a full month but if they have a contract lined up and agreed I think they have a point. It's ten days of matches versus a contract for the future. Charlton ain't going up so what matters and that's the thing.
Will other players start pulling out of tackles and feigning injury. Look at teams week before a cup final used to lose because it was in their mind.

 

Every game is winnable, but, caution!, have you realised that Barnsley, Charlton & Hull are all in a precarious relegation position. Just because playing badly got them there doesn't mean they won't come straight out of the blocks for this mini-season, just as Leeds could fcuk it up, rather than stroll into the PL are expecting (not necessarily on here). QPR are not exactly safe either so you might not have the easy ride you're hoping for.