23 Mar 2022 11:25:10
There’ll be a lot of Leeds fans who won’t be happy with Victor Orta’s latest comments on keeping a slim squad.
He believes that it will give the chance for the academy players to make it through to be full professionals, he states that it is risky but it’s a policy that the club want to go forward with.
I guess the cynical response would be that the club want to cut their expenses and profit.
I can definitely see the sense in it but if we have another injury hit season before these youngsters are or will be developed we could be struggling again like this season.
The benefits of bringing your youth players through to the first team is that you will have the complete Leeds United player who will understand the philosophy of the club, everybody in it and around it. A loyal hard working player.
Football today is too impatient to progress with its youth system, when you have an army of full professionals in your club, the young players rarely get their chance.
It is a risk but the benefits outweigh that for me.
23 Mar 2022 12:15:32
I’m not sure how many will make solid prem players. I love the idea of youth coming through but this is a tough tough league and needs quality. Not just good.
I think they need to spend a bit of money tbh. Not sure what we have is better than 10-15th.
23 Mar 2022 12:39:26
That policy is far too risky maintaining EPL status as we have seen all too often this season already
So at the very least for it to possibly work yrar after year you must have a conveyor belt glut of young players who will be good enough at the top level
( but do Leeds?
Cresswell Gelhardt, probably Drameh Summerville Kenneh, Dean Gray, Mullen possibly? Any others?
PLUS tbe ' slim ' squad do not suffer from injuries; but Leeds often do
It might work with LUCK . but definitely still pray for new wealthy owners at some point soon.
23 Mar 2022 13:34:02
Funny Victor was very quiet upto 2 games ago, he feels now jobs a good 'un so back spouting his rubbish .
A red card could now prove to be the difference between up + down . that's how close we came Victor.
Victor shut the fark up the squad need serious investment and less of the she-ite talk please lad.
23 Mar 2022 15:09:00
Hear hear Chris : serious investment in the first team / squad
In order to genuinely compete even relatively successfully
A new Director of Football would also be more than preferable.
23 Mar 2022 16:30:47
Serious investment, as you put it Baz will spell the end of our aspiring young academy players. They certainly wouldn’t get any game time, apart from the odd cup game. You can’t have the luxury of both.
23 Mar 2022 16:46:58
Yeah fair dos OP but only
IF you have a genuine plethora of
veyy talented young players who you feel Uber confident will be good enough to succeed.
23 Mar 2022 17:11:31
Forgot to mention earlier
Good to see your return OP ðŸ‘, no doubt we be locking swords again soon enough pal 🤣🤣🤣
Differing points of view is a good thing.
23 Mar 2022 17:42:34
I think we could improve our squad drastically without pushing the boat out too much this summer, whilst also promoting and committing to giving game time to a number of standout U23s.
So many free transfers available which would benefit our squad.
Here would be my choices:
LUFC Summer Transfers:
BUY:
CM: Brenden Aaronson - Salzburg - (est) £25m
CM: Seko Fofana - RC Lens - (est) £20m
CF: Divock Origi - Liverpool - Free
RW: Cristian Pavon - Boca - Free
CF: Elijah Adebayo - Luton - Free
GK: Sam Johnstone - WBA - Free
(ESTIMATED) TOTAL: £45m
PROMOTE TO 1ST TEAM:
CB:Â Cresswell
RB: Drameh (to replace Ayling 22/ 23)
RW: Summerville
CM: Bate
CB/ LB: Hjelde
SS/ CF: Greenwood
Working on the assumption that Raph is likely leaving this summer is why I included Pavon (RW) . If Raph stays then that's an unnecessary signing.
Johnstone signing would be to provide immediate competition to Meslier, while allowing Klaessen to develop with U23s.
I think long-term, Drameh will nail down that RB position given how he's excelled with Cardiff. My assunpion is Ayling will get less playing time next season.
Aaronsen, Fofana and Origi would be real coups for us, although Origi is highly sought after as a Free this Sunner so it may not cone to fruition. Which leads to 24yo Adebayo, who would be a welcome addition given his presence in the box, ariel ability, strength and ability to pressure off the ball. Oh, and he scores goals too!
Helder Costa (£10m) and Tyler Roberts (£5m) likely to go, which would also recoup a little of the proposed £45m. If Raph does leave then we would end up in profit, even with the above proposed signings, giving Radz the reassurance he likely needs.
For the record, I really hope Raph stays at least another season!
23 Mar 2022 17:42:55
Gelhardt, Cresswell, Drameh, Greenwood and Bate all look very promising for the future.
23 Mar 2022 18:20:45
Yes Chris, looking forward to locking horns with yourself, Baz and other annoying posters 😉🥰 only joking. It’s all done in the best possible taste as Mr. Everett would say.
ALAW.
23 Mar 2022 18:33:35
Definitely some real talent coming through.
I realised after my post I neglected to mention Gelhardt. To clarify, I already see Joffy as a 1st team player.
23 Mar 2022 18:47:56
The only two I would add OP is Hjelde for LB and I quite like the look of Gray and Miller as future wingers.
As for bought additions, there are only two positions which require quality. One is a relacement for KP (unless Kenneh/ Forshaw can do a job) the other is a creative AM (a Pablo clone if you can find one)
23 Mar 2022 19:23:23
OP I forgot the forgotten three, Boguscz, McCalmont and Kun. What chance them getting a look in?
23 Mar 2022 19:28:22
Yes Leo, not forgetting these players also. So, all these very talented young players could all be surplus to requirements if a whole bunch of new players are bought in the summer.
23 Mar 2022 20:33:36
Chris, moi and others are 'annoying ' OP?!
As the late great 1970s comic Dick Emery would say :
" ooh you are awful but I like you! 😜"
( one for George and anyone else old enough to remember 😉)
23 Mar 2022 22:53:11
Baz Dick Emery was good but I was more of a "it's goodnight from me" guy 🤓🤓.
24 Mar 2022 07:28:10
Think it’s safe to say, if we stay up and Orta believes the squad size is ok then he needs sitting down in front of the 21/ 22 season relieve, then smacking round the chops with a wet cod then sacking.
Yes we do have some decent youths but are they all gunna make the grade?
Don’t think anyone want another season like this one going forward.
Utilise the free market and add a few marque signings.
Look at what Barcelona have done, they’ve targeted all the top free agents and pre contracted them.
Leaving what capital they have for a few big ones ( certainly not Raphinha at £29m😂😂😂)
Low looked good at LB but we still need another as Firpo has to go,
New keeper
Cb’s we have enough so long as they are coached on how to defend again over the summer
Dramah back as cover/ replacement for Luke
2x cm
1x winger
1x #10
1x quality striker ( I heard rumours ages ago of Gio simeone) but out at 12m
Let go of
Klich
Firpo
Costa
Roberts
Raphinha will leave.
24 Mar 2022 11:03:26
Sweaty another quality top post from you : completely concur with all of it.
24 Mar 2022 12:23:35
Orta has only piped up now we have a better chance of survival in the Prem. Get ready for another positive spin in the Southampton programme from Kinnear. Personally I wouldn't be sad to see the back of these two.
24 Mar 2022 15:01:00
Agreed feath, personally I think orta is an embarrassment.