White won;t be recalled by Brighton.

Shane Duffy is even struggling to hold down a CB spot in their squad.

Feel it is just lay journalism based solely on the fact Orta signed him once before. As has been previously mentioned he isn't really a footballing centreback in the mould Bielsa prefers so if he were to sign he would probably be 8th choice behind White, Cooper, Berardi, Ayling, KP, Strujyk, Davis and possibly others.

Now if White was recalled by Brighton then it may be that we'd look to sign him and he could jump up the queue.

[quote=faaip post_id=752108 time=1573586231 user_id=3339]
I think he has legs ..yes
[/quote]


That's an improvement on some defenders we've had in the past.

I think he has legs ..yes

Even without injuries the squad was always going to be too small. Tired legs and loss of form will always be an issue.

[quote=YorkshireSquare post_id=752103 time=1573576741 user_id=2]
Rumours seem to be doing the rounds today about Leeds putting a bid in for Daniel Ayala come January.
[b]It would make sense, I still feel we are desperately short at centre back especially with Cooper injured. Berra just doesn't cut it for me and bringing Phillips back is a loss further up the field.[/b] He's out of contract in summer, could all just be agent talk, but it does mean we could pick him up for £2-3 million potentially.

He's certainly experienced, 210 matches in the Champiobnship and 26 in the Premiership. I think the Premiership is a bit above him though so if he is looking for a move it would be to a top half of the Championship club. He's known to Orta as well of course.
[/quote]
Thought it from day one we should not be going into a season with just two CB's or two strikers, other fans have shot me down for my point of view but I do feel these circumstances leaves us extremely vulnerable especially playing in a demanding league such as the championship.

I doubt it has legs as Bielsa prefers footballing CB's which Ayala clearly isn't, Orta my have other ideas though!

[thf]https://motforum.com/images/th/DanielAyala.jpg[/thf]

The transfer rumours start early these days don’t they? We’re not even into December yet and already the paper talk has started with Middlesbrough defender Daniel Ayala being linked with a potential move away from Teesside this January to either Stoke or Leeds. With the Spaniards contract up next summer a move in the new year could be on the cards with Boro looking to cash in before he leaves on a free come June. With a marked value of £3.6 million according to Transfermarkt one of Middleborough’s rivals could pick up Ayala for between £2-3 million potentially.

Central defence has been an area we have lacked depth in for some time. The signing of Ben White this summer appeared to be the answer to that question but with the departure of Pontus Jansson to Brentford Leeds were down to two recognised first team central defenders yet again. Marcelo Bielsa has turned to both Gaetano Berardi and Kalvin Phillips in the past but Berardi is hot headed and we lose so much by moving Phillips out of defensive midfield. Pascal Struijk could make the step up from the U23s if required but Bielsa has not called in the young Belgian yet.


[imgf]https://motforum.com/images/th/AyalaRoofe.jpg[/imgf]


Ayala is certainly experienced, 210 matches in the Championship and 26 in the Premiership with experience of promotion too. The Premiership is probably a bit above him though so if he is looking for a move it would be to a top half of the Championship club. Leeds is an obvious link for the press to make given his past with Victor Orta but is he really a Marcelo Bielsa kind of player? He’s not exactly the ball playing central defender that Bielsa’s system requires. At 6” 2’ and powerful in the air he certainly has attributes that could help our set piece defence but he doesn’t seem like a Bielsa player.

Barring injury you would have to say he would be at least third choice behind Cooper and White, and we know how much Bielsa likes Berardi and Phillips too. Ayala would also be looking for decent wages, Boro have their own FFP issues which may tempt them into the sale but Leeds’ struggles to balance the kitty are well known and can’t afford to have top earners sat on the bench. So do we think the rumour has legs? No, not really. Unless Ben White is recalled by Brighton, they Victor may very well hit the panic button and sign a player he is familiar with.