The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Tuesday 15th June)

Good Morning. It's Tuesday 15th June, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road


Phillips attributes Leeds training methods to England success

Following his influential performance against Croatia, Kalvin Phillips has captured the imagination of millions of football fans. His superior energy levels in the sweltering heat had many wondering how the 25yo maintained a 94% passing accuracy!

The 'Yorkshire Pirlo' was quick to attribute his fitness levels to the training at Thorp Arch, in particular 'Murder ball'.

"I think it just goes to the stuff that I've done the last few years with Leeds," "Yeah, Murderball and everything in general - we have a lot of running sessions at Leeds and we do very high intensity work at Leeds as well so I could only put it down to the guys at Leeds and obviously when I come here they help me do that as well.

"Murderball is basically 11 v 11, 100 miles-per-hour, no fouls, so if I take you out, no foul carry on playing, no offsides. If the ball goes out you either play from one of the keeper's straight away or one of the coaches on the sidelines chucks a ball straight back in."

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Should we be worried by lack of transfer activity?

We're halfway through June, and yet to land a single target, but should we be concerned? Whilst I'm sure Victor Orta has not had a moments peace in the last fortnight, we continue to hear reports that the Whites are missing on on their first choice targets. Romain Perraud has somehow slipped through Leeds fingers, as has Nicolas Tagliafico who looks like he is on his way to Inter Milan.

To rub salt into the wound, Cagliari have rejected Orta's approaches regarding Nahitan Nandez as the Sardinian club believe their player should go to a 'top team'. That's right, Cagliari sporting director Stefano Capozzucca was quoted as saying:- "I'd be sorry to deprive myself of him [Nandez], but at the same time he deserves a top club. I deny an offer from Leeds".

Orta told us that he expected to get all transfer business concluded by the end of June. We are half way through the month, and yet to sign anyone!

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Whelan - 'massive coup' if Leeds land Marcelo

Noel Whelan believes Leeds are capable of landing Real Madrid legend Marcelo. The 33yo has made 528 appearances for the La Liga giants since his transfer in 2007, but the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti looks set to end the Brazilian's tenure at the Bernabeu!

Marcelo is versatile. He usually operates left back, but can play anywhere in midfield or on the left wing! At the age of 33, how many more miles does Marcelo have in the tank?

Whelan was quoted as saying:-

“That would be a massive coup if Leeds can pull that one off,” “He’s a very professional player who has played at the top level pretty much since he started his career. “That would be very exciting. He’s someone who can pass on a lot of experience to the younger players there.”

Would you like to see Marcelo demonstrate his trickery down the left wing, or is he a luxury player that Leeds don't need at this moment in time?

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Morning all…

I can’t believe we’re looking at a 33 year old LB

Lack of activity doesn’t concern me at the moment, I’m wondering if a lot hinges on whether or not Alioski signs a new contract.

Lack of activity could be due to the target player being involved in the Euros or Copa America?

 

Morning all.
No to Marcelo.
I trust Orta to get whatever we need.

 

Do you think Alioski sees the Euros as his shop window? If he plays well he gets a few offers, if not he signs for us.

 

Morning all,

Lack of activity is not a worry at all. We are still early in the transfer window and we know we are only after a couple of players as well. The euros is in the way as well.

 

Most Players are on holidays so the lack of transfers don't worry me at all and to be honest we aren't chasing loads.
Plus nobody will come in until Bielsa officially signs his contract it would just not make sense signing for a club who's manager is still not secure.

 

Morning all

Ancelotti said when he joined Real Madrid that Marcelo will now stay and there will also be room for Ramos and Bale, everyone gets a chance again. So as he was a great player he can end his days in the sun but not in Leeds, too old and could never do murderball.

For all we know our business could be done? Players are either in holiday or with their International teams. Only deals being announced are free transfers until the end of the month because officially most players contracts dont end until July1st. Lets see what happens then

 

Why then did Vic say he expected transfers to be done and dusted by end of June?

 

You could be onto something there, just prior to the euros him and Roberts were both offered new contracts. Roberts signed his then set off to join the Wales squad but Alioski left it hanging.

As he never refused the contract it does make you wonder, I’ve a feeling he’s also waiting to see if we sign a top drawer LB because he wants an assurance of first team football

 

He rejected the first offer and has had an improved offer, but what I hear is that its now take it or leave it. So yes hes hoping for some offers before he reluctantly signs the Leeds deal. He wants his next deal to be his last but will only get a year extension at Leeds and he knows he will be a bench warmer if we sign a LB. I have no problem with him hanging around at Leeds as hes been great for us because he always gives 100%, hes just not a starter for me

 

They could be but that will only be if a free transfer or have the backing of the selling club who make a statement telling fans they have just sold X to Leeds.

 

I agree I don’t mind him staying as a squad player, the improved final offer was on the table around the same time as the Roberts improved offer, he’s chosen to spend longer chewing it over, again I don’t blame him but it could backfire.

 

nandez deserves a "top club" ??? he ain't at one now chummy is he!
madrid sunshine or windy/rainy yorkshire err let me chew on it
alio is hoping to have a barn stormin couple of matches to entice scouts to his c.v. .....if not he signs

 

Can I just say I was really impressed by Scotland yesterday; not on the pitch obviously, but in their racism message.

They showed solidarity, togetherness and a much much better slogan - stand up to racism.

 

I thought the most ironic bit of Scotlands performance yesterday was wee nippy for years saying nobody is going to take Scotland out of Europe

 

GB News has just been raving about Kalvin Phillips and done a quick profile on him:

• Been with Leeds Utd since a child
• Been with the same girlfriend since 11yo
• Very close to his sister
• Very close to his mum
• Loved his gran who was always there with him for every big event but she has recently sadly died
• He gives to foodbanks and local community charities

They said players like him were what the game was about and who kids looked up to. Phillips now more popular than Rashford. sKy News would have mentioned his dad in prison

 

As Leeds fans we have followed Kalvins career for a few years now. How many of us could say before yesterday that we knew his Dad was in prison?
I certainly didn't, mainly because it's none of my ****ing business.
There must have been a group erection in the daily mail office when they found out a black player the country lovess has a dad who is in prison.

 

Yeah agreed but they never mentioned he was a triplet and one of his sisters died young. Now theres a proper wholesome story they could have used but dad in prison gets a Mail headline. GB News I have to say is a breath of fresh air and winding up all the right people

 

I actually read the original article in the Mail yesterday and the fact his dad is in prison was mentioned briefly but wasn’t at all the headline. Also said the prison is about 300 yards from Thorpe Arch but Phillips rarely visits and prefers to phone. He said when Leeds won promotion he called his dad and he could hear the other prisoners in the background singing Marching On Together.

So basically just good, plain news - no sensationalist headline.

They also mentioned Phillips is one of triplets, and the fact one of them died at a few months old.

 

Elland Road going to be increased to 55,000 capacity and not 50,000 as originally planned