Summer 2021 squad and transfer discussion- No more incomings for us.

[Cjay]

Usually this is made a bit later but with Angus and Victor speaking about transfers a bit i thought i would make it now.

The place to discuss all the rumours, news, thoughts, and general information on our squad and any business we may do, should do, or wont do.

Keep it civil please

[Cjay]

Angus Kinnear on Raph.

He said: "If we get our transfer dealings right and identify the right targets - and get the right deals across the line - it's inevitable that they are going to attract attention higher up the league.

"It's the benchmark for all our signings. If people aren't looking at them, then it probably means we've got them wrong.

"This is something that we are just going to have to live with.

"What I think we do have, we have got a fantastic coach, a fantastic coaching set-up and a fantastic squad. We give all the players every reason why they should stay at Leeds United.

We think that we've got enough ambition to match their ambition."

Kinnear added: "At the moment from Raphinha, he loves playing for Leeds United. The only thing he doesn't love about playing for Leeds United is there are no fans at the moment. He's desperate for those fans to come back.

"I think we have got a lot more to see and a lot more to come from him. Fans should be very confident that he's a major part of our plans going forward."

[Cjay]

Interesting little link coming out of France today.

L'Equipe have mentioned us as having an interest in versatile French u21 midfielder Romain Faivre.

The talented 22 year old is one of the breakout stars this season in France and has 5 goals and 3 assists.

He has played mainly as a left winger but also on the right, as a second striker, as an attacking midfielder and also as a number 10.

He is of course left footed.

What makes this interesting though and the main reason why it shouldn't just be dismissed as clickbait is 2 points.

1) the price, apparently his club Stade Brest would be looking for around £18mil for him. That is the sort of potential bargain figure that would appeal to us.

2) Who plays behind him at left back.

The only player Phil Hay has talked about regarding our interest with confidence is French left back Romain Perraud.

He is the only player Phil is confident enough in to include in his articles.

He and Faivre play for the same club team, the same youth national team, on the same side in tandem.

If you were us and could potentially sign 2 talented young players who play on the same side with eachother and will already have some understanding then it would make sense?

Furthermore left wing and left back is a weakness for us.

Could be something in this imo and it makes perfect sense from a tactic point of view.

Finally we know Bielsa likes tricky, pacey wingers who dribble with the ball, he himself was scouting Raph.

[Smudge3920]

Interesting little link coming out of France today.
L'Equipe have mentioned us as having an interest in versatile French u21 midfielder Romain Faivre.
The talented 22 year old is one of the breakout stars this season in France and has 5 goals and 3 assists.
He has played mainly as a left winger but also on the right, as a second striker, as an attacking midfielder and also as a number 10.
He is of course left footed.
What makes this interesting though and the main reason why it shouldn't just be dismissed as clickbait is 2 points.
1) the price, apparently his club Stade Brest would be looking for around £18mil for him. That is the sort of potential bargain figure that would appeal to us.
2) Who plays behind him at left back.
The only player Phil Hay has talked about regarding our interest with confidence is French left back Romain Perraud.
He is the only player Phil is confident enough in to include in his articles.
He and Faivre play for the same club team, the same youth national team, on the same side in tandem.
If you were us and could potentially sign 2 talented young players who play on the same side with eachother and will already have some understanding then it would make sense?
Furthermore left wing and left back is a weakness for us.
Could be something in this imo and it makes perfect sense from a tactic point of view.
Finally we know Bielsa likes tricky, pacey wingers who dribble with the ball, he himself was scouting Raph.

I knew of Perraud and have been watching him, I like what I see...as for Faivre I have not paid much attention to him, but you make some great points Cj and I like the thought process...

[Clacton White]

Going forward I think a few players may need replacing , the side has done well but to get higher some players would have to step up a fair bit or be far more consistent . Klich has been a good player for the club but I think it's one position that can be bettered by far , same Ayling , Dallas , Alioski . They may be decent squad players but you need better over the course of a season . Oddly one player I haven't previously rated a lot I think would be difficult to replace .....Bamford , for his overall work and contribution . Can't see Hernandez being involved much next season either one way or another . I know many are sentimental about those players who got the side up , but to improve I think some may have to make way . Shame , but that's football now .

[The Subhuman]

Striker for me is first order of business, has been for me for 2/3 years now. I'd like to see Paddy off the bench next season.

Left wing back is number 2, I do think Huggins is going to be quality but whether he's ready next season is another question

AMF is third, I think we need another true #10 to come in and start and that might be at the expense of Rodrigo. We at least need competition there

#4 is a RWB, Ayling needs a bit of comp, he for me is one of the best attacking RB in the division so this would be a squad addition. I'd not be worried if it's promotion for Drameh

5 is a left winger, I think Harrison is premier cheap at 10/11 mill but we could also add. Dan James would be a target

So starters and depth


GK - Meslier/Casilla (if he has to stay)

RWB - Ayling/Plus one or Drameh

RCB - Koch/Llorente

LCB - Struijk/Cooper

LWB - Plus one/Huggins

DMF - Phillips/Llorente/Koch

CMF - Klich/Dallas (Dallas looks better now middle of the park by the week, Klich is still international class)

AMF- Plus one/Rodrigo

RW - Raphinha/Costa

LW - Plus one/Harrison

Striker - Plus one/Bamford

I'd add Roberts as a fringe first teamer, there's still more to come.
I'd add Gelhardt as a bench forward


Hernandez, Alioski, probably Berardi and Forshaw, hopefully Casilla .... will move on

who have I missed

[Scoobychief]

need to get rid of some dead wood if we survive the drop, costa, roberts, klich, poveda, beradi, forshaw, and a few others can depart asap

[Lumiukko]

Interesting little link coming out of France today.

L'Equipe have mentioned us as having an interest in versatile French u21 midfielder Romain Faivre.

The talented 22 year old is one of the breakout stars this season in France and has 5 goals and 3 assists.

He has played mainly as a left winger but also on the right, as a second striker, as an attacking midfielder and also as a number 10.

He is of course left footed.

What makes this interesting though and the main reason why it shouldn't just be dismissed as clickbait is 2 points.

1) the price, apparently his club Stade Brest would be looking for around £18mil for him. That is the sort of potential bargain figure that would appeal to us.

2) Who plays behind him at left back.

The only player Phil Hay has talked about regarding our interest with confidence is French left back Romain Perraud.

He is the only player Phil is confident enough in to include in his articles.

He and Faivre play for the same club team, the same youth national team, on the same side in tandem.

If you were us and could potentially sign 2 talented young players who play on the same side with eachother and will already have some understanding then it would make sense?

Furthermore left wing and left back is a weakness for us.

Could be something in this imo and it makes perfect sense from a tactic point of view.

Finally we know Bielsa likes tricky, pacey wingers who dribble with the ball, he himself was scouting Raph.

Great points and I'd like to see some Brest games to watch these guys (they play Saturday against Marseille) to see what chemistry they have. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be any television rights here in USA else I'd give the game a watch. For you guys in UK, you can watch it on BT Sports: https://www.livesoccertv.com/match/3715 ... -vs-brest/

[Lumiukko]

For me, in order of importance:

Notes:
-I'd like the TBCs to be first choice.
-Also I don't see all these TBCs being filled either.

LB - TBC + Huggins. Dallas can always fill in at a pinch too.
CM - TBC + Klich/Dallas
AM - TBC + Rodrigo.
Fwd - TBC + Paddy/Rodrigo/Gelhardt (in this case, might be OK with giving Paddy first choice still, or at least seeing how he performs for a bit; form dependent.
LW - TBC + Harrison
GK - Meslier + TBC. Casilla out and an experienced older Pro in, like Romero. That all said, word is Casilla does help Meslier out a lot so who knows?
RB - Ayling + TBC (Drameh would be fine for me).

What I'd like to see is these reinforcements filling three objectives:

1. Having the strength in depth to take on proper cup runs.
2. Having the strength in depth to weather injury issues, which let's be honest have cost us points this season.
3. Having the flexibility to subtly change formation/positions without hampering the overall quality of the team. E.g. Playing with two DMs, or switching from a back 3 to a back 4, or switching wingers to opposing flanks.

[Gandalf]

Interesting little link coming out of France today.

L'Equipe have mentioned us as having an interest in versatile French u21 midfielder Romain Faivre.

The talented 22 year old is one of the breakout stars this season in France and has 5 goals and 3 assists.

He has played mainly as a left winger but also on the right, as a second striker, as an attacking midfielder and also as a number 10.

He is of course left footed.

What makes this interesting though and the main reason why it shouldn't just be dismissed as clickbait is 2 points.

1) the price, apparently his club Stade Brest would be looking for around £18mil for him. That is the sort of potential bargain figure that would appeal to us.

2) Who plays behind him at left back.

The only player Phil Hay has talked about regarding our interest with confidence is French left back Romain Perraud.

He is the only player Phil is confident enough in to include in his articles.

He and Faivre play for the same club team, the same youth national team, on the same side in tandem.

If you were us and could potentially sign 2 talented young players who play on the same side with eachother and will already have some understanding then it would make sense?

Furthermore left wing and left back is a weakness for us.

Could be something in this imo and it makes perfect sense from a tactic point of view.

Finally we know Bielsa likes tricky, pacey wingers who dribble with the ball, he himself was scouting Raph.

What have the Romains ever done for us ?

[andrewjohnsmith]

We've known the issues all season. Everyoe was surprised we weren't targeting a LB in preseason. Honestly, Dallas is solid and we knew we had Alioski and Davis as back up. I think that will be a priority.

We knew a #8 was a priority too. Competition for Klich or someone as a 3 man midfield. We probably expected Forshaw back at some point. But the Cuisance transfer was proof it was a priority. Obviously, still a priority since that deal fell through

I agree we need Bamford competition/backup. But I think Gelhardt and Greenwood will be in the squad next year.

Since they said we'll do similar to last preseason, we could be looking at 4 signings. For me it's just a LB and someone that can play the 4/8. I don't see much room for anyone else. A back up goalie since Casilla looks out and Caprile isn't ready yet.

Bielsa wont clear out his loyal players. Ayling, Dallas, Cooper will still be squad members next year. So, even if Aiioski, Hernandez, Berardi, Forshaw were to leave we've still got a good sized squad. It will probably depend on transfer offers. I'm sure we have a price in mind for Raphinha. I don't think they'll shop Roberts around, but if someone came in with a bid ...?

GK: Mesleir / Back Up
FB: Ayling, Dallas, Huggins, Drameh (Davis loan out) / Starting LB
DC: Koch, Llorente, Cooper, Strujik (Berardi to leave)
DMC: Phillips / See below
MC: Starting 8 that can back up KP / Klich, Shackleton
AMC: Rodrigo, Roberts, Greenwood
Wing: Raphinha, Costa, Harrison, Summerville (Poveda loaned out unless someone else leaves)
ST: Bamford, Gelhardt (Greenwood, Rodrigo, Roberts also back up)

[mav]

I agree with Faaip.


Hernandez, Alioski, Berardi and Forshaw and Casilla out, each except Bera to be replaced.

[The Subhuman]

I agree with Faaip.


Hernandez, Alioski, Berardi and Forshaw and Casilla out, each except Bera to be replaced.

That's a first here, cheers

[SG90]

Not enough goals from midfield and we need a clinical finisher.

[mav]

That's a first here, cheers

me agreeing or anyone?

[The Subhuman]

me agreeing or anyone?

Anyone

[andrewjohnsmith]

I agree with Faaip.


Hernandez, Alioski, Berardi and Forshaw and Casilla out, each except Bera to be replaced.

More or less - We tried to replace Forshaw with Cuissance (so still a need). We obviously need a specialist LB. Berardi was replaced already (basically a compassionate contract this year). But I think we've already replaced Hernandez - he's behind Rodrigo, Roberts, and Klich (in a 3 man midfield)

[Cjay]

Apparently Orta did an interview recently and suggested 3/4 positions would be targeted and upto 5 to 6 signings.

So what do we think?

Goalie? ×1
Left back? ×1
Am-×1
Cm/dm ×2?

[The Subhuman]

I've already given the 6 needs...

1 - Striker
2 - LWB
3 - AMF/10
4 - RWB
5 - LW

6 if we can offload Casilla a GK though Caprile looks to be about where Meslier was when he took over. We have 3/4 DMF's I think we're fine there

[1964white]

Goalie
RWB
LWB
DM
AM
Striker

May not be this summer for all those positions, certainly over next eighteen months