Leeds banter 5

29 May 2026 15:56:04
Interesting article on BBC about VAR and on-field refereeing errors.
Backs up what we already know has been happening for years!

29 May 2026 14:39:33
Does anyone else think there might be a reckoning coming in football?

This World Cup with FIFA's greed, lack of transparency with ticketing and the inflated scheduling?

I think players could look to force a strike. FIFA are damage-controlling the CWC, but that won't survive, and crucially it showed the pinnacle of TV rights battles. The first product that truly flopped and FIFA were floundering for a deal they were lucky to get with DAZN. Similarly, this World Cup, they're not getting the revenue they expected from massive markets like India and China.



This World Cup could finally prove what I've felt for years, that the professional football market is over-saturated. Crucially, against what FIFA claims, more is not always more.

Broadcasters might realise this and play hardball more often. This has already been seen in Spain, Italy and especially France. Is English football immune or just delayed in the TV rights recession?

Clubs are losing their ability to use the lucrative betting company as primary shirt sponsors (which Leeds smartly mitigated with Red Bull - which isn't itself perfect) .

29 May 2026 15:20:07
Another good post, Ealing.

Thanks to FIFA and UEFA.. Football is wayyyyy over saturated.. The X Factor has lessened as a consequence.

How many countries in this WC finals?? 48 or summat.. too many, whatever it is.

Up to and including 1990, I used to be excited by the World Cup.

1966, 1970, 1986, 1990 were peak years of excitement.

29 May 2026 16:25:07
Good posts, gents. Totally agree with you both. The build-up to this WC has been way over the top, culminating with the ridiculous FIFA Peace Prize. For me, too many teams have lessened the interest, and there could be some blow-out scores. I pal about with plenty of football fans, and the WC has hardly had a mention.

The fans will be ripped off at the tournament, I am sure. Anyway, let's see how it pans out when it starts. Pubs and clubs will be desperate for England to be successful, so the pints will keep flowing, but an early exit will be a damp squib. Despite my reservations about it, I will be in my local boozer for the group games.

29 May 2026 16:47:46
It's a great post, Ealing!
What I would add to that from a fan perspective is the style of football we are being served! Far less flair football, more focus on chess moves, fitness, sideways probing, possession, soft fouls, toenails offside, diving, etc. etc.
The early years of the PL and the old First Division were far more entertaining in my book.

29 May 2026 17:50:39
To support your point, Bright, 4 out of the top 5 players for number of passes this season were defenders [7 out of the top 10], showing that half the game is played passing sideways in your own half.

Whilst technically "good," it is so dull and pointless most of the time. 20 passes between the defence and the keeper until the keeper then hoofs it upfield or out of touch - which he could have done with the goal kick in the first place.

Why did they change the penalty area rule at a goal kick? It only encourages even more of this rubbish.

I'm old school; when I played I was "Right Wing" and sometimes "Inside Right." I was coached to try and create an overlap on the wing to get the winger in a 1 on 1 situation as quickly and as often as possible.

These days it takes 30 passes to get there, and then the winger turns back and recycles it again - they never take the man on.

EPL football, in the main, is very dull. VAR has really spoilt the spectacle and the way teams play and set up. No one risked a high line before VAR because you couldn't trust the linesman to be right all the time. Now, there's no need to worry; just stand your ground and let VAR protect the defence.

Whilst I enjoy seeing Leeds as often as possible and exploit the fact, when I can't be there in person, there is far too much football on the TV.

I saw a Sky advert the other night, saying they will have 1500 live games next season and that's without European and FA Cup football!

29 May 2026 18:11:44
Don't get carried away, Ani, with the 1500 games. They have just done a deal with the Wakefield League. 🤣

29 May 2026 20:48:04
Great post, Ealing, but I expect that from you lately!
Good responses as well, lads.

I used to be an avid follower of football, but this last season, especially, I only watch a Leeds game in its entirety and occasionally other matches.


I never really thought about it until now, but there definitely is way too much football on TV, which has taken away any anticipation.
I can't see the EPL hitting hard times anytime soon though?

29 May 2026 22:07:24
The problem also is with the CWC and World Cup size, as Viduka pointed out. This World Cup is too big. FIFA found one of the few regions (dominated by one country) that could logistically host the expanded format. When the 2034 bidding went out, there was only one applicant in Saudi Arabia. Imagine if no one had bid.

They also 'cheated' South America out of a hosting cycle by having a couple of games in Uruguay and Argentina next year to celebrate the centenary.

For 2034, FIFA would have had to go cap in hand to Saudi Arabia, who could have dictated the terms and taken control of marketing, beer sales, etc.

Countries will be paying very close attention to actual profit margins in the North American World Cup.

And, aside from one or two logical reasons (Japan and South Korea) , I detest joint hosting. I feel like it should be a celebration of a country's footballing heritage and future, which seems diluted among multiple hosts. More than two especially seems ridiculous to me. This one should have been Canada and USA, after Mexico has already had it twice.

29 May 2026 22:17:44
Great post, Ealing, and spot on, Baz.

30 May 2026 07:16:51
I'm against it also, but isn't this all what is called progress and supply and demand.
I think we notice the difference so much because of our general age. I think if you ask young people, they would probably want more football, if that were even possible.
The prices constantly go up, but individuals and corporates still pay out, and will continue to.

To respond to your first sentence in this thread, I don't think there will be a correction in football or the pure greed involved in it.


The only thing that will stop it will be a global economic disaster.

Nobody can stop the juggernaut of power and greed, especially when politicians and presidents endorse and demand it. Football is no different, and the power and greed of FIFA are far greater than you and I could ever possibly imagine.

30 May 2026 08:25:48
"The power and greed of FIFA." Spot on, OP!

30 May 2026 19:32:24
I don't think my issue would necessarily be more televised matches - if all 38 Leeds games were televised live in the league I'd be happy. Keep the 3pm slot but, sure, televise them.

Clubs are pivoting away from loyal locals and season tickets to one-off tourists who will pay the premium. If locals can't get tickets, let them watch the games on TV.

The original issue with the Premier League was, if every 3pm was televised, people wouldn't go to games. That has long been proven unfounded.

I wouldn't mind having the whole season televised. But I still like having a block every summer or every second summer where I don't watch any football. I get a break, the players get a break, everyone resets.

29 May 2026
New image uploaded to the
Leeds Player Sightings page entitled,

Click picture for larger image

29 May 2026 09:52:45
See the bookies have the three promoted teams as strong favourites to go down, they have Sunderland in 17th place and ourselves and Palace in 16/17th place at 11/2
Not a betting man but any article that says we stay up again is a positive.

29 May 2026 11:28:24
A few ( of the 9) clubs involved in Europe may struggle with their squads not able to cope with the increased number of matches in their season.

Sunderland finished 7th on just a mere 54 points with a negative goal difference in a lower standard EPL. For me, they were never a good side last season and smash and grabbed a fair few points.



I am going for them likely struggling in the league this season.

Bottom 3 relegation battle, imo, likely to involve 6 clubs: Hull, Ipswich, Coventry, Sunderland, Leeds and Palace.

29 May 2026 12:03:59
I'm glad some on here are grounded enough to realise progression doesn't mean finishing higher than last season in the short term. I honestly feel that 11-18 are pretty volatile. Brentford finished 16th or 17th a year or two ago.

There'll always be a team or two that can't compete. Hopefully that'll be Coventry. I hope Kieran Mckenna leaves Ipswich, Palace or some team.

Then Ipswich is likely doomed too.

I still look at the tables and my first thought is - which three or four teams are genuinely going to be worse than Leeds. The promoted sides, maybe Forest, Palace and Bournemouth, face a big season of upheaval again. They all managed it last time; can they again.

29 May 2026 12:18:06
Think you're right about the impacts of Europe on smaller teams/squads. Palace had a fantastic season with European glory, but it significantly stretched them, and, without keeping Guehi as long as they did, may have dropped them into the relegation scrap.



Of course, fans want Europe and all it brings, but it's potentially a poisoned chalice if your squad isn't sufficient for the number of games it entails.

29 May 2026 12:54:24
The crazy thing about the EPL this year is how similar teams performed overall, e.g. had we beaten Sunderland at home as we should have, we would have finished 12th and Sunderland 11th if every other result remained the same. Both teams are nowhere near relegation and nowhere near Europe [by position].

It is hard to imagine the league being the same again next year.

The bigger teams who struggled this year, e.g. Spurs & Chelsea, have new, better quality managers with money, and no European football; they have to do better?

I tend to agree with Baz's "relegation 6," though I hope ours is only a fleeting risk! I think Hull still have a transfer embargo for one more window?

29 May 2026 13:30:23
What does progression mean for a football team, Ealing?
What does stagnating mean for a football team, Ealing?
What does regression mean, Ealing, for a football team?

29 May 2026 14:18:39
I think progression right now for Leeds is simply maintaining Premier League status, using the sustained financial benefits to fill the gaps in the squad. Getting the stadium infrastructure improvements underway that are only sustainable with Premier League survival. Overextending or risking the health of the club is what got Leeds into trouble in the past.

If we stayed up by the skin of our teeth, having made no work on the squad at all, that would be stagnation. We won't have gotten better, but have the chance to redeem it.
That's very different from investing in the future and finishing 16th with a young but promising squad that's been invested in.

No question, relegation would be regression.



Too often, a decent position in the league can paper over cracks, or a good team can have a very unlucky year. Brentford finishing 16th that one year, for example. A solid team that believed in the project and didn't let 16th get to them. They bought two of their current best players ahead of that season, Nathan Collins and Kevin Schade. They also weathered Ivan Toney's betting absence that year. That's a great example where short-termism might look like a failure or stagnation, but the bigger picture that they believed in was committed to, and worked out.

No matter what clubs do, luck (good or bad) will feature to some degree, but I think you're not unlucky to get relegated (that's leaving too much to chance) .

29 May 2026 14:25:16
Good post Ealing. 👍

29 May 2026 14:45:47
Surely, if we'd done Sunderland both games, we would have finished above them?

29 May 2026 15:20:44
Indeed, Corkey.

We should have beaten Sunderland both games.

And Leeds would have 52 points (Sunderland 50) . ..And Leeds would have finished 10th.

Sunderland are not all that!

29 May 2026 18:20:59
With all this stagnation, don't think DF will be happy about that after this season.

29 May 2026 18:28:55
Does stagnation mean Summerfield and Bamford are coming back. 😂

29 May 2026 23:25:40
I think there has been too much focus on what Sunderland have achieved this season.
It has happened before in recent years with Sheffield United and ourselves finishing in an unexpected elevated position in the first season after promotion.

A lot of Leeds fans do compare our first season up against that of Sunderland’s, which I feel is a false sense of comparison.


For me, I feel reasonably safe in our prospects of continuation in the Premiership, although I would be happy if we had qualified for European football like Sunderland have. I think, at the same time, I would be thinking it’s possibly too much too soon.
I’m happy with our season, and I really couldn’t care less where Sunderland are or where they are potentially going.

29 May 2026 06:31:03
Proper gentleman, who gets Leeds, and his responsibilities beyond the pitch at a club like ours.

🤍 Ilia Gruev has been named our PFA Community Champion for the 2025/26 season, recognising his incredible commitment to community projects and initiatives.

29 May 2026 07:58:02
Good on him. Well done, buddy.

29 May 2026 08:33:18
Well done that man!

29 May 2026 11:59:36
For me, if he is willing to accept a backup role, keep him and sell Tanaka. Not that Tanaka is a bad egg at all, just Gruev is such a good egg, and obviously not a bad footballer.

Of course, there needs to be a baseline level of quality, but once that's achieved, arguably character is just as important.

You can see when players like Ramazani or Buononotte don't make it in.

If he says, look, I really need to be playing more than I'm getting, then we'd have to sell him. You can't begrudge him the desire to play more.

29 May 2026 13:31:21
He is better than Tanaka imo. I'd sell Tanaka everyday over him.

29 May 2026 21:41:11
Personally I prefer Tanaka, but both of them are fairly similar in that they keep things neat and tidy in midfield, break down attacks, and retrieve the ball, but don't offer much in attacking areas in terms of goals or assists.


However, I think Tanaka would have a much higher selling value, and, as he only cost a touch over £3m, would probably enhance our financial position more positively.

28 May 2026 13:48:11
Ramazani's behaviour and attitude off the field, added to him ignoring tactical direction in his last appearance, seems to have ended Valencia's interest in signing him.
Problem player?

28 May 2026 14:54:14
Sell him to Chelski - with that attitude he should fit in there just fine.

28 May 2026 14:54:18
Any specifics re said behaviour and attitude off-field?

I liked his on-field play in 24/25 season at Leeds. Quite a talented player.

28 May 2026 16:14:02
Don't think he was willing to follow team instructions and track back, so he got the verbals from senior players. He then upset them the next day with posts on social media, when he was out golfing. It was his day off, but it didn't go down well. I think he's been quite vocal on social media recently.

28 May 2026 17:47:28
Contract should be terminated, no more wages. There must be some grounds to do that.

28 May 2026 18:20:12
Why would Leeds terminate his contract and lose millions?

29 May 2026 03:51:20
Happy to have Large back as an off the bench option. Could sell Gnonto and James then. Get some coin. Keep Okafor and Large.

29 May 2026 08:31:34
I'd read it was something to do with his Instagram.
I follow Largie and there's nothing on his Instagram that's remotely offensive or anything controversial.

Personally, I think it's just made up so Valencia have an excuse to not sign him or try to get him cheaper.


He's been good for them this season, and when I've seen videos put out by the club, he always looks like he gets on with others and fits in.

29 May 2026 10:33:07
His home in Spain was burgled a week ago, so that's maybe stressing him out as well.

29 May 2026 11:32:49
Interesting info, Dune. That would definitely stress him out.

And, what Dave said.

For me, this story whiffs a tad of bs by Valencia.

29 May 2026 16:51:52
It was Marca reporting it, supposedly with input from senior players too.

29 May 2026 20:03:59
Corkey, it will cost us anyway. Who will buy him or the other numb Jack Harrison? We are still paying them.

29 May 2026 20:50:01
Fair point on Harrison, mate, but Rama will have clubs queuing up for him, I believe.

30 May 2026 08:30:56
Norwich want Rama.

30 May 2026 08:45:04
And Birmingham linked and they're not afraid of spending a bit of money.

28 May 2026 07:39:12
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Matchday 38 - Quick Round Up

28 May 2026 04:19:59
If reports are correct it seems like Harvey is set on joining us. Should be a day 1 deal. Possibly heavy on the add ons given recent form.

28 May 2026 08:08:32
Elliot does have talent, but does he have enough talent to give us more edge in midfield and attack?
It worries me that Emery didn't fancy him, and to spend 30+ Mil is a lot for a club like Leeds.


The only thing I can think of that might be a deciding factor is that he is versatile and can cover other positions if needed, in a small squad, it's always very useful.

28 May 2026 08:14:13
Not sure if he is better than what we have, but rumoured 25 is enough, although I'd be keen on 20 plus add ons. Think he needs to feel at home and wanted, so loan no good. Did Emery just not fancy him or what?

{Ed001's Note - he was brought in by Monchi against Emery's wishes. Emery wanted pace.}

28 May 2026 08:14:51
Agree, OP, it's a lot of money on someone who fell out of favour last year.

Fingers crossed that if he does come, he can find his mojo again because when he's playing well, he is a very good player.

28 May 2026 10:00:13
Surely he's a better fit than Baracus, and has had Klopp coaching under his belt. Every name is always going to throw up debate.

But I feel that Villa aren't too needy on that position, hence if Harvey played 1 more game, then his transfer was automatically triggered.



So, in light of cash restrictions, maybe it was a more balanced decision not to splash the cash for that position.

Maybe?

28 May 2026 10:13:31
Never stood a chance based upon Buendia's exceptional run of form, no wonder Farkey loves him some talent.

Eliot's situation may change if Liverpool ditch Slot. The player is going to be keen to stay at Pool, you would think, and any new coach may want to assess him first to see if he fits their style of play.

28 May 2026 10:39:41
Think Elliot is class - had an excellent summer for U21s last Yr (he was still eligible then) . Was very unlucky with Villa.

I think he could be the 10 or wide playmaker that Farke prefers. He doesn't seem to love traditional wingers.

As always, it has to be the right price and £20m with survival clauses and performance escalators about right.

A lack of recent football actually is almost a bonus - if he can stay fit (a caveat for any footballer) , he won't be suffering from physical burnout like so many right now, and post World Cup even more will be, and will be raring to prove himself.



Finally, in the wake of his awful ankle injury from the Struijk challenge, I've rarely seen a player handle such a devastating outcome with such class. He must have seen replays and understood that it was super unlucky not malicious and completely absolved Struijk of fault. Sounds like the kind of character I want in the Leeds dressing room.

28 May 2026 11:58:09
Perhaps there are still negotiations to be made on the future of Harry Wilson. Will he be leaving Fulham on a free, or will he wait to see who their new manager is?
I rate both of these players, but surely, if one comes in on a free, it might sway which player could be financially the better option.



The question above all, though, has to be: do either of them want to come to Leeds United?

28 May 2026 12:07:57
I think Elliot has all the running power of Ba, but with an end product.

I think he is a great young talent and would fit our team ethics well.

But, if there was to be a new Liverpool manager, I think he'd stay there.

28 May 2026 12:15:49
I would defo want Harry Wilson.

But, after his pretty sensational productive season, 10 goals, 7 assists in 36 appearances.

He defo isn't coming to Leeds. probably go to Villa.

And, at £30 miliion, a big noooooo for Harvey Elliot. even £20 million.



As an attacking midfielder, his 5 goals and 10 assists in 93 appearances for a strong Liverpool is underwhelming imo.

We defo need better than him, much more end product results, esp if splashing large chunk of our transfer budget on him.

{Ed001's Note - he mostly played central midfield at Liverpool to be fair Baz.}

28 May 2026 12:36:06
Err Chrissy, re "end product".

Ba has scored the same number of goals for Leeds United in fewer matches in EPL than Elliot has for Liverpool in EPL. 😆

28 May 2026 12:59:05
Baz, please please please don't compare abilities of 2 said players.

Baracus loses every day.
Just like your other failed pet project.

Mr James..
That lad is as effective as an ashtray on a motorbike.

28 May 2026 13:11:48
Chris, 😆 ridiculously harsh on Danny James, who:

- Has been injured most of this seez.
- And scored 40 plus goals and assists in previous 2 seasons.
- And scored 5 goals and assisted 3 in our EPL season 21/22 under the mercurial Marcelo.



And as for Ba, he has been ok this seez, nowhere near as bad as you have suggested.

And he has scored and assisted quite a few important goals.

But of course yes please to an upgrade!

28 May 2026 12:31:39
Fair enough Ed001 re him playing mostly central midfield position for Pool

but do you think he would be a significant improvement for my Leeds United club esp at an acquisition at a hefty reported £30million?

I have my doubts personally 😌

{Ed001's Note - I love Harvey to be honest, so I am not the right person to ask as I am biased!}

28 May 2026 14:14:21
Think it's max 25 Baz. You're wrong about James. Ba and stats. I just get the opinion you stick up for James even when he is not the thread. Weird.

28 May 2026 14:58:50
Elliott had a hard task at Villa, trying to put himself ahead of Rogers, Tielemans and Buendia.

28 May 2026 15:02:57
Aus, .Chris unfairly lambasted DJ on this thread. I responded sticking up for him.

And no, Aus, the stats are not wrong.
Google 'em, fella.

DJ
Season 24/25: 12 goals, 9 assists
Season 23/24: 13 goals, 7 assists

Total: 25 goals, 16 assists.

Total 41 goal contributions.

And BA
4 goals this seez 25/26
1 goal in EPL 22/23. Total 5 goals in EPL seasons, as I stated.

Plus, he scored 9 goals last season in EFL.

100% correct. Facts.

28 May 2026 15:34:51
DJ, great Champo player. Baz, yes, done for us now, I would think. BA, have you watched him? Little purple patch, as consistent as a blue moon and as frustrating as trying to suck a Malteser out of its packet through a pin hole. Bin.

28 May 2026 15:48:47
Hi Davey,

As I said in the post above, I would love an upgrade on BA. I am not a fan, he has had an OK season, not as bad as some suggest.

He has one year left in his contract, so might be off, but our owners and Farke do favour BA.



As for DJ, yes, great in Champo. and I 100% expect him at Leeds United next season, Davey, as he is on a contract to 2029 on 70K a week.
.

28 May 2026 16:33:30
Absolute Lunacy paying out that style of salary for such basic players.

No wonder the squad can't be strengthened sufficiently. Take Jack & Dan's wages alone.

Mindboggling stuff.

28 May 2026 16:44:18
To put Harvey Elliot's price into perspective, he was the standout player in the U21 European Championship squad last year.
Archie was a rarely used sub.
We sold Archie for a lot more than we are allegedly looking at paying for Elliot.
One or both of them must be a good deal!

28 May 2026 17:10:54
imo, the Leeds recruitment team did very well indeed blagging £40 million from the normally shrewd Daniel Levy for AG.. ( £30 million plus Joe Rodon ) .

28 May 2026 17:55:29
With limited funds, we need to be shrewd in the business sense. We must not waste money on replacing like-for-like; that will not cut it.

28 May 2026 18:16:38
Elliott would be a good signing, I think he would come with the right attitude, but only if the price is right. Liverpool do have a knack of getting over-inflated fees for their young players. Brewster comes straight to mind.

28 May 2026 21:42:40
I don't think Brewster had the pedigree/potential of Harvey Elliott, and Liverpool had worked that out and got far more than he was worth. I don't think he even had a senior appearance for Liverpool. They do have a knack of doing it - Brewster, Jordan Ibe, etc. Watching Elliott before he went to Villa, I was always impressed with the energy and drive he brought to Liverpool, and he's had a fair number of games under his belt.


With regard to the choice between Elliott and Wilson, some would justify going for Wilson because he's a free agent. However, it doesn't always mean he's a much cheaper option. The free agents know their value and want a substantial signing on fee. Josh Brownhill was talking about £15m upfront plus a boost in salary 12 months ago. Was he worth £15m? Maybe, but in the end he took the Saudi route.

28 May 2026 22:27:20
Archie's ceiling is far higher.

29 May 2026 11:43:47
Alfie, AG's ceiling is not going to be high, imo. He is no James Milner for starters.

27 May 2026 21:00:36
69 mill for Gordon from bankrupt Barca. Wouldn’t give you half of that, grossly over rated.

27 May 2026 22:13:47
He's no superlative Raphinha, that's for sure.
Closer in talent to Jackie.

28 May 2026 12:08:58
Gordon Ramsey!

The football world is bonkers!

28 May 2026 12:40:48
Indeed, Ani.

I would want Flash Gordon at £69 million, not Anthony Gordon.

28 May 2026 21:17:31
We sold Raphinha to Barcelona 4 years ago, and they still owe us £36M on the deal. If I were a club selling a player to them now, I'd tell them the deal is 100% of the fee up front, or no deal. Take it or leave it.

28 May 2026 22:37:23
I'm not sure they still owe us for Raphinha, JR; I believe we were paid by a 3rd party intermediary and BCN owe them for Raphinha.

29 May 2026 05:40:00
Spot on with that, Ani.