03 May 2021 18:00:26
In 2018 / 2019 I was at times somewhat critical of Victor Orta's transfer recruitment and it could be argued to say he had more misses than hits at that time.
Victor has thankfully improved somewhat in 2020 transfers whilst still making a few transfer mistakes
Yet he really needs to improve still further in summer 2021 window in what I feel will be the MOST IMPORTANT TRANSFER WINDOW of his Leeds United career to date to SOLIDIFY the Leeds United squad with more quality players who are
1) completely suited to playing effectively in the EPL to make regular important contributions
And
2) not sicknotes with previous injury histories. The recruits must be physically strong enough to compete for an entire 38 game demanding EPL season.
Go to it Victor!
03 May 2021 19:07:50
Totally agree Baz. This summer is crucial and will be the litmus test for success (or Sheff U) . I too, was one of Ortas detractors with his Machine Gun approach to recruitment. The fact that we are where we are is however a compliment to his methods. The higher the position, the larger the fee, the bigger the gamble. Of course, the easy way out for him now would be to read our posts. We have answers for every position and problem.
03 May 2021 20:39:04
Orta has been awful. Yes he has had a few lucky hits but the majority of his signings have been poor and he has wasted a heck of a lot of money. I would prefer someone else be in charge of transfers but can't seenit. We are stuck with him.
03 May 2021 21:56:02
Hehe Alf, I had a feeling you would make such comment about Victor, given your previous posts on him over the years
But there is no doubt Orta has improved his recruitment success ratio with a ( very) good 2020 and so perhaps NOT true for you to say he has been ' awful' overall, but prior to 2020 yes far from good.
Ortas good buys in 2020
Raphinia
Meslier
Llorente
Koch
Geldhardt
Summerville
Drameh
Greenwood
Jury still out on Rodrigo due to his stop start season
Costa and Poveda? Maybe not.
04 May 2021 06:27:27
Well I don't think any youth players can be counted despite them winning the league as the primary focus is to have a competitive first team. Koch and Llorente both spent the majority of the season out injured which wasn't a great help and Rodrigo has been a complete flop for 27 million pounds. Meslier we had last season but he has certainly been a good signing and don't forget the woeful Costa who I think was a complete waste of money. Out of the 5 big money signings this year only Raph has shone so far for me and a 1 in 5 ratio is not good enough, especially since one of those 5 cost 27 million. Imagine what Brentford could have done with 100 mill.
04 May 2021 09:27:50
Spot on, I totally agree this next window is vital. In this division you have to spend £50-£100m to stand still so picking up an unexpected gem is vital along with players who are as said injury free and of the quality they need to go straight into match day 11 or squad at worst. There’s a few names mentioned all year that do fit that Bill there’s a few that in my opinion don’t.
Buckle up and enjoy the ride.
04 May 2021 11:08:39
Agreed Me and Leo
Alf, I think at least 2 of those 4 youth players Gelhardt and Drameh ( combined cost £2 million) will have EPL careers, so that will become very good business.
Llorente in particular and Koch have already shown in perfomances they are ( very ) good but yes crucially they must stay injury free from now on ( my criteria 2 ) to be deemed good signings.
04 May 2021 18:50:49
How many youth players that Orta signed have actually made it Pascal? Pascal actually would be one. Did Orta sign him or was he already here?
Poveda yet to impress, Shacks I think was already with us so who else?
04 May 2021 19:44:08
Alf
Orta signed Pascal from Ajax in January 2018
and as I previously said I anticipate at least 2 possibly all 4 youth recruits of 2020 :Gelhardt, Drameh, Sommerville and Greenwood to make it eventually in the EPL.
So yes Alf,
Orta's transfer success was patchy to say the least between 2017 to 2019 but he has improved considerably in 2020 but Victor Orta needs to step it up still further in 2021.
04 May 2021 23:56:52
Those list of players you mentioned, Summerville, dremeh geldhart Greenwood haven’t played barely a minute of first team football between them yet you put them in a list of good signings and costa and poveda you put it not so good signings . I can’t fathom your logic . Costa has done more than any of those players put together for Leeds United.
05 May 2021 01:00:32
Mighty
Poveda has no end product and physically weak. I don't think he will make it, certainly unlikely at EPL level but time will tell
As for Costa, he is I believe mid 20s, if he was going to make it at EPL level he should be demonstrating it regularly by now ; Wolves got rid for good reason it seems.
Although Costa has some talent, he seems to lack belief and confidence. He also needs to strengthen up. He also cost a lot of money in £15 million.
The 4 youth players Gelhardt, Drameh, Summerville and Greenwood are in their teens, just starting out and have their entire playing careers ahead of them .
I have watched virtually all of the U23 games and it is my opinion that Geldhardt and Drameh in particular will indeed have successful EPL careers, and be far more successful than Costa ever will. Coupled with that, they cost a fraction of Costa's transfer fee.
Time will tell, but I am uber confident that I will be proved correct and that Gelhardt and Drameh in particular will be excellent signings for Leeds United.