Try before you buy for Chilean ace
19 Jan 2021 09:03 am, by Ellandback1
Good Morning. It's Tuesday 19th January, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Try before you buy for Chilean ace
Italian media outlet La Nazione are claiming that Fiorentina midfielder Erick Pulgar is 'expendable' and a loan deal without any ties would not be out of the question. The out of favour Chilean International, who can play defensive midfield, or defence, has only started 5 games for Cesare Prandelli's team this term. Since his arrival from Bologna, he has featured 48 times, and netted 7 times.
Leeds were keen to sign him last Summer, and apparently made a bid of 15m. 5m more than Fiorentina bought him for 18 months ago. Leeds are not expecting any first team business in this transfer window; however a loan deal without any ties would be an attractive proposition for a well known Bielsa target.
Richard Keys - Leeds will never be better then 10th-14th under Bielsa
In his latest blog, Soccer pundit Richard Keys questions whether Bielsa will still be at Elland Road next season, not because the Argentine may walk away, but because they will never finish higher than 10-14th with El Loco in charge!
At their best Leeds are a delight to watch. It must be fun and frustrating in equal measure to play in that side. It can’t be easy knowing that you’re going to have to score at least twice to win a game because you can’t keep a clean sheet. Here- there are arguments for caution on occasions.
I’m reading the usual suggestions of ‘tiredness’, which always come at this time of their season. Are Leeds running on empty? Of course Karen Carney’s suggestion that ‘they wouldn’t have got up had it not been for Covid’ was clumsy - but I know the point she was making - and so did everybody else. They would’ve got up. They were the best team in the Championship by miles last season. What she really meant was that the Covid break allowed them to re-charge and she was right. There might not be the same chance this season.
I don’t believe Leeds will ever be better then 10th-14th playing the way they do. That won’t be enough for an ambitious owner like Andrea Radrizzani. It shouldn’t be enough for Leeds fans either. So what happens in order for Leeds to take the next step? I wonder if Bielsa will be in charge at Elland Road next season?
Leeds tipped to wrap up deal for McGurk
The Sun sports journalist Alan Nixon expects Leeds to complete the signing of Wigan youngster Sean McGurk, either this month, or worse case scenario in the Summer. This would be the second time Victor Orta has swooped across the Pennines to the DW Stadium in recent times. Last Summer the Whites captured Joe Gelhardt for a bargain price of under under 1m. The 18yo was immediately promoted to the under 23's where he has netted 5 times in 9 outings.
McGurk is a year younger than Gelhardt but possesses much the same extraordinary talent. His favoured position is attacking midfield, that's not to say he hasn't got an eye for goal.
He is also attracting interest north of the border too. Both Celtic and Rangers are monitoring the situation
Wigan are currently struggling on and off the pitch. Leeds have already had one bid turned down for him. Can they, and their administrators afford to turn down an increased offer?
