Pre-season finally underway

So I go away for a week and what happens? Over in Brazil Luis Suarez bites an Italian, Chris Kamara turns vigilante and chases down a street robber (Unbelievable Jeff!) and back at home in England Leeds United have finally started their pre-season preparations. The new all white home shirt for the new season has also been launched which a pleasant change from recent years shirts.

It seems with the appointment of Hockaday and the players return to training last week (Including a rather well upholstered Paddy Kenny) things are starting to get into motion, though perhaps the most important arrival at the club this summer will be that of Cellino's right hand man, former Cagliari Sporting Director Nicola Salerno.

Salerno has dropped strong hints that he has joined up with Massimo Cellino again at Leeds after turning down an offer from Palermo. Though nothing has officially been announced by the club yet Salerno told ItaSportPress that he was working for Leeds. "I chose to jump on the wagon with Massimo because there is a relationship of respect and friendship between us. We plan to consolidate the club and in two, a maximum of three years, take it to the Premier League.” With Salerno acting as Sporting Director looking to bring in Italian talent and Benito Carbone responsible for ‘technical and football operations’ including the academy the real power looks to be with these men. It seems to leave Dave Hockaday and Junior Lewis with little more to do than set out the cones on the Thorp Arch training pitches.

Despite still being under a transfer embargo Leeds have been linked with several players based in Italy. There is hope that now the clubs bank account has been unfrozen that the embargo can be lifted today ahead of the window opening tomorrow. The first player linked was 21 year old Chievo goalkeeper Marco Silvestri who was on loan at Cagliari last season. Silvestri’s agent Francesco Romano is said to have already agreed a deal with Salerno and that Silvestri has already visited Leeds and seen the facilities. Hellas Verona’s striker Daniele Cacia is also rumoured to be a target of Cellino’s having found himself down the pecking order behind Luca Toni. The 30 year old made only 13 appearances, starting in only three, and failed to score last season.

Other rumoured targets include 27 year Siena old left back Fabrizio Grillo. Salerno said of Grillo “Yes he is a player that I respect and in whom I might be interested”. Roma midfielder Federico Viviani's agent Giovanni Ferro has also hinted that Leeds could be a destination for the 22 year old although he also implied there had been interest from other English clubs. Armando Izzo is another young Italian linked with a move to Leeds. The 22 year old centre back currently plays for Serie B side Avellino featuring in 30 out of a possible 42 games last season, part of a defence that conceded only 45 league goals. British based French midfielder Romain Vincelot has also been the subject of speculation with Leeds United rumoured to be amongst several clubs preparing bids to prise him away from Leyton Orient.

As well as rumours of players being signed there have also been movements in the opposite direction. The club announced that former captain Lee Peltier’s contract had been cancelled by ‘mutual consent’ before he re-signed for his former club Huddersfield Town for whom he made 80 appearances between 2009 and 2011. Cellino is also be rumoured to be trying to cancel the signing of Cameron Stewart which was due to be made permanent on 1st July. Stewart was absent from the first day back at training and is said to be unwanted after failing to impress during his 11 games on loan last season.

There has of course been much speculation and rumour regarding the future of last season’s top scorer Ross McCormack much of it from the tabloid press. With Adam Pope reporting this morning that he has not travelled to Italy with the rest of the squad there is increased uncertainty over the strikers future at the club.

The squad will fly to northern Italy today for a two week training camp in the Santa Cristini region of Val Gardena with the exception of Alex Mowatt and Scott Wootton who both picked up injuries in the off-season. Following their return from Italy the club have announced the following away pre-season fixtures; Guiseley AFC - July 19th KO 3pm, Corby Town - July 23rd KO 7.45pm, Chesterfield FC - July 26th KO 3pm and Glenavon FC July 30th KO 7.45pm.