The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Thursday 27th January)

Good Morning. It's Thursday 27th January, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road


Leeds linked with Ajax star

Leeds have been linked with a late move for Ajax right-back Noussair Mazraoui. The 24-year-old Moroccan international is into the final six months of his contract with the Dutch Champions, and a move to the Premiership is high on his wish list. He has been with Ajax since he was just eight-years-old, and has played 125 times for the club.

In a recent interview Mazraoui was quoted as saying: "That's a good question. I think the chances of me remaining at Ajax are very small, maybe 5%. "I am open for something new, I have played here for 16 years and I think it's a good moment to leave."

Leeds have continually been linked with right backs throughout this transfer window, and whilst most of the speculation can be taken with a pinch of salt, I can't help but think whether replacing Luke Ayling in the Summer is part of the rebuilding process? Ayling, 30 has played an instrumental role at Elland Road since his £200,000 transfer from Bristol City nearly seven years ago. He was recommended to Garry Monk by Kyle Bartley who, at the time, was on loan at Leeds from Swansea City. Ayling has gone on to make almost 200 appearances for the Whites. Where does this leave Cody Draheh? The England U21 International was expected by most to be a ready-made replacement for Ayling, but it seems he has fallen out of favour with Bielsa.

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It will be a gamble if Leeds don't strengthen

Graham Smyth, the Chief Football Writer for the Yorkshire Evening Post, has written an interesting piece this morning. In it, he weighs up how much of a gamble Leeds will be taking if they fail to strengthen their squad before the transfer window slams shut at 11pm on Monday evening. Although Leeds are seven points clear of the drop zone, many teams in the bottom half have strengthened considerably this month. It would only take a couple of results to go against us, and we could get sucked back into a relegation dog fight.

Smyth was critical of the amount of training the squad endures, and even linked 'murderball' to Kalvin Phillips' lengthy spell on the sidelines, but insisted that Leeds would not have found themselves at the wrong end of the table had injuries not decimated the squad!

"Kalvin Phillips is a good example, having gone into the Premier League for the first time on the back of a tiny pre-season break, before rushing headlong into the Euros and covering incredible distances for almost all of England’s march to the final. Before the midfielder had time to even begin to process what the last year of his life had brought, he was back doing murderball and getting ready for a new season. Maybe we should not be surprised that he ended up on the operating table having his hamstring fixed."

"Phillips will be back soon enough, we’re told, and it never takes him that long to get into the swing of things again. If he doesn’t, Bielsa at least has Adam Forshaw, Robin Koch and Pascal Struijk as cover. Yet two of those men have had recent seasons disrupted in the extreme by injuries and surgeries and the other is just back from a rare foot problem."

"Bielsa’s small squad preference, his methods and the ‘exacting standards’ he holds, as Angus Kinnear put it, are what brought Leeds to the big time and kept them there last season. He is the one they absolutely cannot afford to lose and what he wants, or doesn’t want, will always determine Leeds’ transfer window activity. He evidently has trust in the players he knows and the solutions he can find from within if further problems arise. But when his team is seven points from the drop zone, teams below are attempting to strengthen and injuries have been the only consistent thing about the season, can he afford to gamble?"

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Covid passes disbanded

Covid passes will no longer be enforced outside Elland Road. The news comes following the easing of the government's 'autumn and winter plan B' restrictions. Although restrictions are softening, recommendations to wear face masks will still be encouraged, though not enforceable.

A statement from the league said: "As COVID-19 restrictions ease, it is vital supporters continue to do all they can to minimise the risk of passing on COVID-19. There are some simple ways fans can help keep each other safe on a matchday: Be responsible and do not travel if you have COVID-19 symptoms. Wear face coverings in indoor and crowded areas. Continue to regularly wash your hands. If possible, take a COVID-19 test on a matchday to check there is no risk of passing on the virus. The best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 is to get vaccinated."

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Take a Covid-19 test on match day? Or any other day for that matter? Yeah right, I can see myself doing that - NOT.

**** that

 

But you don't have to, and you're still moaning

 

I feel so much better now i know this.

 

Good day for fishing caught a couple of tiddlers already

 

An upgrade on Ayling would be welcome and needed, he’s getting older and we need a replacement. I don’t think Drameh is it and I don’t think he’ll play for Leeds again but hopefully selling him can get us some funds for the summer.

Too much football being played is the reason for some injuries. I don’t think Bielsa should change his ways or training because that’s why we’re here and I don’t think any other manager could do or could’ve done a better job. We’ve also been very unlucky with injuries this season but the horrific calendar of internationals, 2 different cups and PL doesn’t help. How are players meant to perform at their peak physical condition with all these games and all the travelling they have to do, not realistic and something has to give somewhere but it’s all about money so can’t see it changes unless people make a stand which also won’t happen so not sure what the answer is.

 

We aren't getting Covid now..... FFS I thought we'd definitely get him

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I felt for ayling… he looked every day of his years chugging back in the lead up to the free kick for the Newcastle goal.

he’s been great for us but we’re going to need competition for him in the summer if we don’t pick someone up in the next few days.

 

we couldn’t afford the sneeze

 

Thought exactly the same as you milky.

Ayling has been absolutely brilliant for us and he's still a very important member of the squad however his days of flying up and down the right side now seem a distant memory. As it stands I'm still happy seeing his name on the team sheet, although it does seem he's come to that point in his career where he'll need to adapt his game.

 

You must question the answer and not answer the question.. Grasshopper.

 

Afternoon all

 

I think we got a lot of work to do in the summer only place I'm happy with is CB's Llorente,Struijk,Koch,Coops.Cressy,Hjede
I think both fullback places are up for grabs. If Phillips or Raph leave there is another two places we will need replacing and we are desperate for midfielders Central and Attacking. and Bamford needs help.
I can't see any current players from the u23's apart from Joffy who can push for a permanent slot in our first eleven of yet.
not saying we have to get rid of everyone but like you lads have said some of the promotion crew are getting on a bit now and this is one of the toughest and best leagues in the world the likes of Coops,Ayling,Dallas,Klich all brilliant for Leeds but the tide is catching them up and next season should be looked as squad players.

 

The reality is that all teams need to evolve. This current squad has been fantastic but eventually you have to forget sentimentality and replace players. I get it if the idea was to consolidate and add one or two to the players loyal to Bielsa. But unless the club accept being a mid table side, then Marcelo needs to cut his favourites adrift

 

"Smyth was critical of the amount of training the squad endures, and even linked 'murderball' to Kalvin Phillips' lengthy spell on the sidelines"

So Smyth is now a Sport Science specialist, is he? Had to be something, for I've never understood why he got the job in the first place. At least Hay gave the impression that he liked Leeds & had a special relationship with them. This guy could be anyone.

 

Ecuador v Brazil just kicked off.

Raphinha starts.

 

25 mins in and 3 red cards

 

One reversed...incorrectly in my opinion.

It was Liverpool a player though

 

Never their fault.

 

Jeez and we think VAR is bad in this country.

7 Brazil players around the referee for nearly 5 mins before he overturns his penalty decision.

Oh and it was Raphinha with another stupid challenge in the box.