Good Morning. It's Tuesday 15th June, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Should we be worried by lack of transfer activity?
We're halfway through June, and yet to land a single target, but should we be concerned? Whilst I'm sure Victor Orta has not had a moments peace in the last fortnight, we continue to hear reports that the Whites are missing on on their first choice targets. Romain Perraud has somehow slipped through Leeds fingers, as has Nicolas Tagliafico who looks like he is on his way to Inter Milan. To rub salt into the wound, Cagliari have rejected Orta's approaches regarding Nahitan Nandez as the Sardinian club believe their player should go to a 'top team'. That's right, Cagliari sporting director Stefano Capozzucca was quoted as saying...
Orta told us that he expected to get all transfer business concluded by the end of June. We are half way through the month, and yet to sign anyone!I'd be sorry to deprive myself of him [Nandez], but at the same time he deserves a top club. I deny an offer from Leeds.
Phillips attributes Leeds training methods to England success
Following his influential performance against Croatia, Kalvin Phillips has captured the imagination of millions of football fans. His superior energy levels in the sweltering heat had many wondering how the 25yo maintained a 94% passing accuracy! The 'Yorkshire Pirlo' was quick to attribute his fitness levels to the training at Thorp Arch, in particular 'Murder ball'.
I think it just goes to the stuff that I've done the last few years with Leeds. Yeah, Murderball and everything in general - we have a lot of running sessions at Leeds and we do very high intensity work at Leeds as well so I could only put it down to the guys at Leeds and obviously when I come here they help me do that as well.
Murderball is basically 11 v 11, 100 miles-per-hour, no fouls, so if I take you out, no foul carry on playing, no offsides. If the ball goes out you either play from one of the keeper's straight away or one of the coaches on the sidelines chucks a ball straight back in.
Whelan - 'Massive Coup' if Leeds land Marcelo
Noel Whelan believes Leeds are capable of landing Real Madrid legend Marcelo. The 33 year old has made 528 appearances for the La Liga giants since his transfer in 2007, but the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti looks set to end the Brazilian's tenure at the Bernabeu! Marcelo is versatile. He usually operates left back, but can play anywhere in midfield or on the left wing! At the age of 33, how many more miles does Marcelo have in the tank? Whelan was quoted as saying...
That would be a massive coup if Leeds can pull that one off,” “He’s a very professional player who has played at the top level pretty much since he started his career. “That would be very exciting. He’s someone who can pass on a lot of experience to the younger players there.
Would you like to see Marcelo demonstrate his trickery down the left wing, or is he a luxury player that Leeds don't need at this moment in time?