All drama over Cody’s loan but Forshaw signs new deal

Good Morning. It's Saturday 15th January, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road..


All drama over Cody’s loan move

Most Leeds fans were surprised when news of Cody Drameh’s loan move emerged. It’s not that the young right back wouldn’t benefit from some first team football but with the injury crisis at Elland Road opportunities were starting to open up. Drameh made his debut for Leeds on 26th October against Arsenal in the FA Cup, five days later he made his Premier League debut against Norwich City. He has gone on to make a further two league performances for Leeds and although missing from the matchday squad against Burnley with the injuries in the squad more gametime was surely a prospect. Marcelo Bielsa certainly made in clear in his pre West Ham press conference that he thought it was the wrong move…

I did not think he needed to play games elsewhere. He was a player who was very necessary with all of the absences we have. He preferred to go and play outside of Leeds. In a situation with opportunities for youngsters has increased clearly, in this case, Drameh would prefer to experiment outside our team. I consider that position valid and I do not think it makes sense to oppose him. What I imagined as a great opportunity, he imagined it in a different way. It's more important what he thinks than what I think. I don't think it's convenient to impopse in a situation where a player does or does not want to belong.

Given Bielsa’s comments could this be the end of the road at Leeds for Drameh? He had been touted as Leeds United’s future right back but given his preference to ‘experiment outside our team’ despite his recent first team appearances are there signs the player is not happy about his development under Bielsa at Leeds?





Adam Forshaw signs new deal until 2023

Adam Forshaw has signed a new contract with the club keeping him at Elland Road until 2023, the club also has an option to extend by a further 12 months. The midfielder has had a tough couple of years, with his hip injury keeping him out of action for 22 months. Following surgery in America, a lengthy rehab process and several setbacks Forshaw made a successful comeback in the Carabao Cup victory against Crewe Alexandra at Elland Road last August. His first game since Charlton Athletic in October 2019 back in the Championship.

Forshaw has made 11 appearances in the league this season. After substitute appearances against Southampton and Norwich he played a full 90 against Leicester and had been a near ever present in Marcelo Bielsa’s midfield since due to our injury crisis and the Argentinian has been pleased with his performances…

His level of performance is the same as that prior to the injury. Prior to him stopping playing, he was at a very good level. Two years later, he has been able to play at a very high level at a higher level of competition - that is not common. He made big efforts to be able to get back to this level and I am sure that he is enjoying it.

How vital has a fit Forshaw been this season? Despite his performances do we still need to strengthen in midfield this transfer window?





Max Dean scores beauty to give U23s victory

Leeds United U23s faced Wigan last night, with Max Dean scoring a scorcher to give Leeds a 2-1 victory and a much needed three points. Nohan Kenneh scored a thunderous volley to give Leeds the lead before Wigan grabbed one back to make it all square at half time, but it would be Max Dean show stole the show on the 65 minute mark. Dropping his shoulder, Dean nutmegged the Wigan defender before cutting inside and finishing in the top corner from 30 yards out.

Given Leeds United injury issues up top, could Dean be in line for a first team call up? At only 17 Dean is still young but is proving he can perform at U23s level. With the injuries to Roberts, Gelhardt and Greenwood could Dean (a natural goalscorer) offer something a bit different from the bench? Do you think he is good enough?