The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Monday 27th March)

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

Phillips linked with ER return

Kalvin Phillips has been linked with a return to Elland Road this Summer according to multiple back page stories in the tabloids, over the weekend. The 27yo has failed to establish himself at the Etihad, and has fallen way down the pecking order.

With five substitute league appearances amassing 56 minutes, you'd think they'd be keen to see him off their books, especially as he is earning £150,000 a week. However, sources from the blue side of Manchester are insisting, they want all of their money back (£42m), should he return to Elland Road this Summer.

In truth, Leeds sold Phillips at the right time. Injuries aside, Phillips had been poor for the last 18 months of his ER tenure, but survived on reputation, and past feats. A return to Leeds would surely be crazy, unless Manchester City slash their price in half.

Emotions aside, would you like to see Phillips back at Leeds? Can he return to the kind of form we were used to seeing? What price would you pay? Why do Leeds continue to be linked with almost every ex player for the last 30 years?

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Duo suffer injuries whilst on International duty

Leeds hopes for survival have taken a hit after Wilfred Gnonto and Max Wober both picked up injuries whilst on International Duty. With less than 9 weeks between now and the end of the season, to lose two of our most influential players is our worst knightmare, come true.

Wober damaged his thigh, during his 14th appearance for Austria (against Azerbaijan). Similarly, Gnonto had to be assisted off the pitch, half way through the first half of Italy's game against Malta, after spraining his right ankle. Both players have returned to Thorp Arch for treatment.

Speaking after the game, Italy boss Roberto Mancini said: “Gnonto is dealing with a sprain, I hope it is nothing to worry about. These are matches where you have everything to lose and they get ugly. Not pleasant ones. We did some good things and some less, but it was important to win. We could have scored a few more goals, but these matches are a bit strange."

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Leeds have gentleman's agreement to sign McKennie

In a recent article over the weekend, Italian media outlet 'La Gazzetta dello Sport' have insisted that Leeds have a gentleman's agreement to sign Weston McKennie, but only if they survive relegation. The 24yo midfielder joined Leeds during the January transfer window, on what was thought to be an option, rather than an obligation to trigger the sale.

Victor Orta has a close relationship with the 'Old Lady', as he does with many European top clubs. If indeed, he shook hands on a deal with his Juve counterpart, it will be difficult for him to back out of the deal. Whilst he hasn't been poor, McKennie has failed to have the kind of impact, we were hoping for, and as such certainly does not deserve a £35m price tag. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport:-

"[A suitable offer would push him out], like McKennie, who will be redeemed by Leeds for 35 million in the case of salvation in the Premier League. The effect should be immediate, but it is linked only to the word: in January, when the midfielder had to evaluate leaving, he only accepted a temporary solution because he didn't want to risk finding himself stuck in a relegation."

"The relationship between the clubs is solid and Gnonto, after a year in the Premiership, could be the ideal piece in Allegri's chessboard. We are not yet in the operational phase of a real negotiation, even if Juve did a first survey with the boy's agents. The assessments are starting to define the possible intertwining of the market."

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Phillips to Leeds

 

Morning all by the way

 

Injuries play a huge part at tail end of a season as players have little time to recover. Very worrying we have three of our most influential players in Weber. Adams and Gnonto all likely in sick bay. Have to keep fingers crossed at least two will be available for Forest game. As for Philips, won't happen, hell play another 53 minutes for city next season and win the balon d'or

 

There are plenty of clubs who would take Phillips here and abroad, however Leeds will not shell out £40m for him and pay his huge wages.

Meslier has given an interview in France where he says he is aware of the rumours but says his ambition is to see a successful end to this season and to be France’s No1. For me I think he will leave whatever happens in the summer and probably back to France.

Whatever happens this season we are in for some major changes in the summer. Ownership, players out and depending on what league players in…

 

Morning all well i reckon only two clubs would pay phillips mega wages.. Liverpool or Newcastle.

 

Meslier is superb at one on ones but we can do better.

 

Very few keepers excel at all parts of the game. He's one player Id have no problem with him staying a decade with us

 

Good Morning to you all from a chilly sunny Bardsey
Phllips we dont needAdams is doing a great job and who wants someone thinks he his bigger than the teamno let someone else have the problem .They will be lucky to get 20m for him
Gononto will soon recover being a young manand Wober should be fit shorrtly

 

Well you all know my thoughts on Philips, so no point in me saying anything. Morning all by the way. Just having a cheeky Mon pint.

 

I don't know,what is it ?

 

Are you a new poster.

 

Sports journos hate not having premier league football, so get bored and decide to make up shyt stories.

• Kalvin Phillips to Leeds
• CDK regrets not coming so will now come.
• Raphinha coming back
• Shaks hurts back bending for brown ale

 

The fourth one is newsworthy

 

So am I now, in my favourite pub

 

And the only one most likely to be true

 

If we stay up this season keep your eyes on this. Not because he’s another yank because he’s not really he’s Dutch with a yank dad who selected to play for the USA. 22yo Orta chasing him earlier the Italians don’t have cash to pay for him so will be going back to Barcelona and could be got for £10m. Top player and a great RB. If we do this it will be curtains for Ayling and Drameh. Javi Gracia knows all about this kid…..

 

Nice one.

 

I think so,at my age I forget.