The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 23rd April) Red Bull's influence set to grow at Leeds after recruitment shake-up

[Ellandback1]

Good Morning. It's Wednesday 23rd April, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...


Red Bull's influence set to grow at ER after recruitment shake-up

Leeds return to the top flight marks not only a triumph on the pitch but also a pivotal moment off it. While the immediate impact of their record-breaking sponsorship deal with Red Bull, finalized in June 2024, has been subtle, the winds of change are blowing strongly. With promotion now secured, a significant squad overhaul looms, potentially involving expenditures of £150m to £200m. This influx of talent could finally see Leeds reaping the full rewards of Red Bull's involvement.

Red Bull's acquisition of a 10% minority stake brought more than just financial backing. The energy drink giant boasts one of the most sophisticated and effective scouting networks in European football. Their data-driven approach and global reach have consistently unearthed hidden gems and future stars for their various football clubs. The expectation was that this expertise would be readily available to Leeds, bolstering their recruitment strategy.

However, the initial months have been somewhat muted in terms of visibly impactful Red Bull influence. Now, with significant departures from the Leeds management structure, that is set to change. The imminent departure of Managing Director Angus Kinnear to Everton, alongside key recruitment figures Nick Hammond and Gary Penrice, have created a vacuum. Their departure may well prove to be the catalyst that unlocks the true potential of the Red Bull partnership Expect them to leverage their extensive scouting network and data analytics to identify targets that align with their strategic vision for the club.

This could translate into a shift in recruitment philosophy, potentially focusing on younger, high-potential players who fit Red Bull's emphasis on dynamic, high-pressing football. While experienced heads will undoubtedly be necessary to navigate the challenges of the Premier League, the new recruits are likely to embody a clear, identifiable style of play under Red Bull's influence.

The summer transfer window promises to be a busy one for Leeds United. As the club prepares to compete amongst the elite, Red Bull's expertise and established network will be crucial in identifying and securing the right players to ensure a successful and sustainable Premier League future.





Are Spurs Rethinking Solomon Sale After Leeds Loan Success?

Manor Solomon's loan spell at Leeds United has been nothing short of inspirational this season, leaving Tottenham Hotspur, his parent club, potentially reconsidering their plans for the young winger. Brought in to fill the void left by Crysencio Summerville last summer, Solomon initially took time to settle at Elland Road. However, he has since blossomed into a fan favorite, captivating Leeds supporters with his dazzling skills and impressive finishing ability.

Tottenham reportedly value Solomon at around £15 million. However, his stellar performances in West Yorkshire might be giving Spurs second thoughts about a permanent departure. Solomon has demonstrated the potential that many suspected he possessed, consistently showcasing the attacking flair and goal-scoring prowess that can be invaluable to any Premier League squad.

While Tottenham may be reassessing their position, Solomon himself seems content with his situation at Leeds. He appears in no rush to return to North London, suggesting that he's enjoying his football and the environment at Elland Road. This raises the question: can Leeds leverage his happiness and success to secure a permanent deal?

Leeds might have a trump card in their hand in the form of Pascal Struijk. Spurs are long-time admirer of the versatile defender. Struijk has also expressed openness to a move to North London, potentially creating a favorable bargaining chip for Leeds in negotiations.

Could a potential swap deal involving Struijk heading to Tottenham in exchange for Solomon become a reality? It's a scenario that could benefit all parties involved. Tottenham would acquire a sought-after defender in Struijk, Leeds would secure a permanent deal for the in-form Solomon, and both players would get their desired moves.

[Clitheroe White]

Interesting morning debate. A few things jump out

If Redbull want to target younger, up and coming talent it shouldn't cost anywhere near £200m to achieve.

Shouldn't Farke determine the style of play (given he's the manager) - what he has developed in the past few months is a focussed balanced team with everyone knowing their roles. Changing that because of some RB mantra seems daft. It's not like we've been dull to watch and I suspect RB want entertainment (alongside winning). If we had been applying Scott Parkers tactics I would totally understand the shift.

The recruitment last summer was good - and the people behind it are now leaving? that's a concern to me.

Struijk / Solomon swap - makes sense, depends on the players motivations too. Means we would need some strong CB player to cover (Should we have kept hold of Cresswell - I felt and feel we should have).

[Barlow Boy]

Surely it would be Solomon, plus a good dollop of cash, for Struijk.

[Finnatic]

I’m with Clitheroe on the recruitment angle atm, good signings for the outlays and now they are going.

[The Subhuman]

Surely it would be Solomon, plus a good dollop of cash, for Struijk.

If Struijk is worth more than solomon, why would we get rid of a left sided CB, they're so hard to replace. Unless Ampadu is being moved full time to CB and then Kalvin would be a good get

[ElKapitan]

Interesting but nothing unexpected.

Red Bull were brought on to do just that, I don't believe the pull of the second best club in Liverpool is that strong that we couldn't have kept Penrice, Hammond and Kinnear if the 49rs wanted to/didn't have a plan to allow their departure.

Red Bull are probably "the" best scouting network in Europe and have a reach far exceeding what traditional recruitment teams can hope for. We should be leveraging this to the fullest extent. My only hope is that the 49rs remain grounded about the realities of the premier league buy high potential players that were inaccessible to us in the championship (I.e. ilk of Gnonto) but also bring in experienced premiership players capable of competing now.

Farke plays high pressing front foot football..... Red bull recruitment matches. Farke will have to adapt his football as the gulf in quality is just too big to cover in one window. I really hope he has learned from his time at Norwich and learned the lessonsvof Southampton, Ipswitch etc as I don't think we'll have much of a chance leaving the gaps we have going forwards in the prem. The individual matchups will be in favour of almost every side we face......

Struijk is fine to leave for me.... Has great attributes but switches off a lot and genuinely think he'll struggle both with Hamstring injuries due to the pace of the prem (two in the last two years in champ) and staying alert for 90 minutes. 25 million plus Solomon... Be sound.

[The Subhuman]

Think it would be a straight swap if we did it. Struijk for Solomon. They're the same age, similar potential but attacking talent tends to cost more

[marie67]

Surely it would be Solomon, plus a good dollop of cash, for Struijk.

If that is the case then i'd definitely be in favour of it as i think Solomon would be more of an attribute that Struijk in the premier league.

[mentalcase]

"Player wages is the best predictor of on-the-pitch performance in the Premier League.
"In 2024, the average wages of the three promoted clubs were five times lower than the average for the top three clubs, and half of the average of the seven clubs immediately below them.
"Such disparity means that it has become increasingly difficult for newly promoted sides to stay up, and clubs need to find a way to outsmart the opposition, as outspending them is just not a viable option."

[Barlow Boy]

If Struijk is worth more than solomon, why would we get rid of a left sided CB, they're so hard to replace. Unless Ampadu is being moved full time to CB and then Kalvin would be a good get

I’ll be surprised is Struijk leaves, but if he did I’d also be surprised if it was a straight swap for Solomon.

No disrespect to Solomon, but he’d be far easier to replace than Struijk for the reasons you mention.

[Clitheroe White]

"Player wages is the best predictor of on-the-pitch performance in the Premier League.
"In 2024, the average wages of the three promoted clubs were five times lower than the average for the top three clubs, and half of the average of the seven clubs immediately below them.
"Such disparity means that it has become increasingly difficult for newly promoted sides to stay up, and clubs need to find a way to outsmart the opposition, as outspending them is just not a viable option."

A pretty depressing state of affairs. I still long for the team to make if from nowhere / roy of the rovers style. Leicester winning the league feels like a fairy tale now.

[Irish Ian]

Solomon would be a decent addition, but there is no need to overpay.

If Leeds do acquire the Red Bull philosphy, where does that leave Farke?

Because one thing I have learned is that he is his own boss and doesnt like to have players pushed on him. Then there is the style of play as well.

It would be nice to see investment in the side but I doubt very much that we will see anything like the figures mentioned.

[weasel]

Solomon would be a decent addition, but there is no need to overpay.

If Leeds do acquire the Red Bull philosphy, where does that leave Farke?

Because one thing I have learned is that he is his own boss and doesnt like to have players pushed on him. Then there is the style of play as well.

It would be nice to see investment in the side but I doubt very much that we will see anything like the figures mentioned.

If done right then they should work together. Farke would tell them the position he wants a player and a list of attributes that he wants that player to have. RB then give him a list of suitable players and then Farke ranks them in order of preference. They do the relevant background checks etc and then try to get the 1st choice.

[ruttermania]

I'm disgusted that barely 24 hours after one of the greatest days in the clubs recent history that the 'Sack Farke Brigade' are out led by such outstanding 'footbal pundits' as the Gabby Babby and Michael Browne citing the alleged evidence from the Norwich campaigns which Delia saw fit to run on a chicken dinners budget . It is more worrying that some of these stories allege 'inside sources' and one has to ask is this kite flying or plain lying. There is still a Championship to be won and the thought that someone other than Scott Parker thinks this kind of muck is helpful is troubling. I believe that with proper backing and a good recruitment strategy that the building blocks are in place to establish the club in the Premier over the next couple of seasons but that will require pragmatism and coherence not attention grabbing strokes. Keep Struijk , buy Solomon unless Levy tries to screw us and then think about the areas that need strengthening . We will need a significantly larger squad next season but we have a much better basis to build on so gutting the squad is not the answer .

[The Subhuman]

this feels like click bait. not falling for it

[andrewjohnsmith]

If Struijk is worth more than solomon, why would we get rid of a left sided CB, they're so hard to replace. Unless Ampadu is being moved full time to CB and then Kalvin would be a good get

I wouldn't be selling Strujik. He had a decent spell in the PL. That was as a green youngster and he'll only get better with age. Many have complained about Pascal and think he won't be good enough for the PL. But if Spurs are interested, then obviously he is.

[andrewjohnsmith]

I'm disgusted that barely 24 hours after one of the greatest days in the clubs recent history that the 'Sack Farke Brigade' are out led by such outstanding 'footbal pundits' as the Gabby Babby and Michael Browne citing the alleged evidence from the Norwich campaigns which Delia saw fit to run on a chicken dinners budget . It is more worrying that some of these stories allege 'inside sources' and one has to ask is this kite flying or plain lying. There is still a Championship to be won and the thought that someone other than Scott Parker thinks this kind of muck is helpful is troubling. I believe that with proper backing and a good recruitment strategy that the building blocks are in place to establish the club in the Premier over the next couple of seasons but that will require pragmatism and coherence not attention grabbing strokes. Keep Struijk , buy Solomon unless Levy tries to screw us and then think about the areas that need strengthening . We will need a significantly larger squad next season but we have a much better basis to build on so gutting the squad is not the answer .

Farke's record in the premier league was hampered by Norwich's lack of resources and ambition. Simon Jordan was saying yesterday that they only spent 9 million when they went up. Sounds to me like the owner just milked the PL for the money she could.

Farke deserves to continue given what he's done over the past two seasons. And he'll have a lot more money to help him do the job with Leeds.

[The Subhuman]

Farke's record in the premier league was hampered by Norwich's lack of resources and ambition. Simon Jordan was saying yesterday that they only spent 9 million when they went up. Sounds to me like the owner just milked the PL for the money she could.

Farke deserves to continue given what he's done over the past two seasons. And he'll have a lot more money to help him do the job with Leeds.

First time, 45M second time

[andrewjohnsmith]

First time, 45M second time

Even 45m is low given the extra money you get going up

[1964white]

Farke's record in the premier league was hampered by Norwich's lack of resources and ambition. Simon Jordan was saying yesterday that they only spent 9 million when they went up. Sounds to me like the owner just milked the PL for the money she could.

Farke deserves to continue given what he's done over the past two seasons. And he'll have a lot more money to help him do the job with Leeds.

Delia banked the money & sold the club last year.