The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 18th May) Phillips could be sold for £30m

[Ellandback1]

Good Morning. It's Wednesday 18th May, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...


Phillips could be sold for £30m

Newcastle Utd are favourites to sign Kalvin Phillips this Summer, according to the back pages of many tabloids. Rumours of Phillips departing Elland Road after twelve years, escalated several months ago when the England star dumped agent, and long term friend, Kevin Sharp. This occurred whilst tense negotiations were being finalised regarding a new long term contract at Elland Road

By sacking his agent, talks came to a sudden halt. Phillips has been linked to Aston Villa, Manchester Utd and now Newcastle Utd. To make matters worse, it is being reported that a fee of 30m would be enough to bring him to St James Park, assuming Leeds are relegated. If they avoid the drop, that figure is doubled. Less than twelve months ago,Kalvin Phillips was named England's 'Player Of The Year'.





Elland Road board got the timing of Bielsa's exit all wrong

Ian Wright believes Andrea Radrizzani got the timing of Marcelo Bielsa's exit all wrong. The Argentine was given his marching orders at the end of February after a succession of poor results, saw them accumulate 23 points from 26 games, conceding sixty.

The Former Arsenal and England star was discussing the timing of Bielsa's exit on his podcast 'Wrighty's House.' Whilst he admits that 'Bielsa has to get love for what he'd done for Leeds' during his three and a half year tenure, he should have been fired prior to the end of February, giving a new Manager 'time to get the team playing in a different style'.

"I think they should have got rid of him [Bielsa] earlier, given someone time to really change. Simply because, whether it's Jesse Marsch or whoever it is, they needed time to really get that team playing in a different style. Bielsa has to get love for what he'd done for Leeds but it comes to a time where somebody has to make that decision." "Let's face it, I don't want to go with big club bias but Leeds need to be in the Premier League. They make it exciting. They should have done that earlier."





Fans have their doubts about Marsch

Former player, now pundit Chris Sutton believes the Elland Road faithful have their doubts about Jesse Marsch. Whilst few would expect, an in-coming Manager to be greeted with smiles and hugs following the brutal sacking of Bielsa, the former striker is of the opinion that many Leeds fans have reservations whether Marsch is the right man for the job! It was always going to be a difficult introduction. American Coaches don't have a great reputation in football, and bringing one in to replace an iconic figure that has such a great bond with his audience was always going to be an uphill task. According to Sutton...

There's something not right at Leeds, though. There seems to be doubts over the manager, I think from certain sections. I was at the game and the fans went from 'sack the board' to 'Marching on Together' in thirty seconds. There was fury inside the stadium, all of a sudden the goal, the relief and it was a big goal.

I worry for Leeds if they get relegated and there's a strong possibility they will get relegated. Raphinha's been linked with Barcelona, looks like he's going to go, their key man. Kalvin Phillips - another one - will he want to hang around in the Championship?

I'm worried what could happen. A lot of Leeds fans, they loved Bielsa, absolutely loved Bielsa. I think we've talked about Leeds a few times and talked about what is their identity under Jesse Marsch. At the weekend, Brighton should have been out of sight. Leeds got away with it.

[The Subhuman]

Can we prove there's a release clause in Kalvin's contract should we go down. It seems doubtful to me and as he's contracted for another two seasons after this we can afford to wait for top dollar.

[Ellandback1]

Can we prove there's a release clause in Kalvin's contract should we go down. It seems doubtful to me and as he's contracted for another two seasons after this we can afford to wait for top dollar.

As far as I know there is no clause in Phillips contract. There's a 25m release clause in Raphinha's terms (if we go down).

30m if the figure being banded about, if we go down.

[Mountain]

If Phillips leaves the club for a knockdown price (which will no doubt translate into increased wages) after sacking his agent to facilitate that process, I'd regard him as little better than Harry Kewell. But for now he hasn't done anything and it's all speculation.

[The Subhuman]

Phillips will be worth exactly the same irrespective of which division we're in. So if he's worth 30M if we're down a division then that's his price if we stay up.. Although Marsch's poor use of him may have dented that somewhat

[Kennyb41]

Phillips will be worth exactly the same irrespective of which division we're in. So if he's worth 30M if we're down a division then that's his price if we stay up.. Although Marsch's poor use of him may have dented that somewhat

This ^

In 2 months he's wiped approx £50m off KP, and idiots whined at £8m a year for Bert, we've lost 6 x Bert in 2 months fantastic business Radz.

And you mark my words, KP will be nothing in any other midfield than his Bert position, and a good chance he'll be nothing without Bert.

Pep will've already been on the phone to Bert about him, they are now looking to replace Fernandinho, if they don't come in for KP it will speak volumes.

Value depreciating as we speak.

[mentalcase]

Personally, I can’t wait for this season to end, hopefully we’ll still be in the PL , if not, I’ll still be going to watch LUFC, no, not every game, but a lot, I respect some folk can’t go,or simply don’t want to, what I can’t do with is the full on Bielsa love in some folk have , we would be safe now if he was still here, we wouldn’t be in this position, he would’ve stayed and got us into Europe, he was going anyway at the season end, which is it ? Come on, which is it, any ideas , hmmm , nah, thought not, too many professionals crying about the sacking that ought to have come earlier, much earlier, the board let it go on too long, that’s why we’re where we are, Bielsa had us right in the dumps with no plan B or escape route.
Was I thankful for what he achieved up till this season, yes, of course I was, let’s face it, whomever got us promoted was going to be an instant hero, whether that be heckingbottom, Christensen, Darko or even a bloke that lived above a sweet shop and had certain quirks, but let’s move on ffs.

[Jaydog]

Should really be a lone thread for what Marsch is at fault for in the world. Almost certainly everything including the size of chocolate bars. You now pay more for less Snickers than you used to get 3 years ago. The parallels with KP are undeniable.

[Clitheroe White]

Nice to actually have one of the pundits (Ian Wright) actually want Leeds to do well based on balance rather than many others who seem to take pleasure from seeing us fail.

His view about timing of replacing Bielsa is interesting to note...and no doubt we will all disagree on here

[VoiceofaLurker]

So essentially you "can't do" with people having a different opinion to yourself and that they must be "idiots" if their view doesn't align with your own.
I bet you're a popular guy.

VOAL

Personally, I can’t wait for this season to end, hopefully we’ll still be in the PL , if not, I’ll still be going to watch LUFC, no, not every game, but a lot, I respect some folk can’t go,or simply don’t want to, what I can’t do with is the full on Bielsa love in some folk have , we would be safe now if he was still here, we wouldn’t be in this position, he would’ve stayed and got us into Europe, he was going anyway at the season end, which is it ? Come on, which is it, any ideas , hmmm , nah, thought not, too many professionals crying about the sacking that ought to have come earlier, much earlier, the board let it go on too long, that’s why we’re where we are, Bielsa had us right in the dumps with no plan B or escape route.
Was I thankful for what he achieved up till this season, yes, of course I was, let’s face it, whomever got us promoted was going to be an instant hero, whether that be heckingbottom, Christensen, Darko or even a bloke that lived above a sweet shop and had certain quirks, but let’s move on ffs.

[Mountain]

Should really be a lone thread for what Marsch is at fault for in the world.

I don't think he's at fault.

In fact, ultimately I don't think the manager is always at fault when a club does poorly. There are a huge number of factors that must click for a team to do well, the squad, the individual players, injuries, luck, managerial ability, coaching staff, the dieticians, the physios, the groundstaff etc.

At the root of all of it is money. The one thing analysts say again and again and again and again and again and again and again is that money is the main factor in how a club does. We insist that is not true and we want to pin the blame on someone, or have a hierarchy of blame, it was 40% Radrizzani, 30% Orta, 20% Bielsa and 10% Marsch. I can understand the need to find someone to blame, but I think it's kinda nonsense.

But I do also think that, very simply, Bielsa is a better manager than Marsch. Maybe in time Marsch will carve out his own reputation, he is very young as a manager and has plenty of time to develop. Hopefully he gets his first real headline grabber on these islands by keeping us up this weekend.

[Johnboy1965]

Orta's already got Chris Wood lined up as a straight swap for KP

He will anounce it as soon as his tears have disappeared following the Brentford result.

[Ellandback1]

Back in February Phillips agent Kevin Sharp said:-

"Kalvin was pleased that Leeds turned those offers down,"

"He has never asked to leave Leeds in all his time with the club and has no intention of doing that now or in the summer. "But I understand the offer that was turned down would have been a record for both buying and selling clubs. "So I would hope that Leeds would honour their promise of a new contract for him, which would then end any unsettling speculation about his future this summer."

Two weeks later, Phillips fired Sharp.

[Cjay]

If Kalvin Phillips is as good as many of our fans think he is then simply being asked to play a more zonal system in a 2 (a far more common system than the one Bielsa used) shouldn't make that much difference.

If he can't do it maybe he isn't as good as our fans think? Nothing to do with Marsch, quality players can adapt, if he cant and he is a 1 trick pony then that isn't Marsch's fault.

And besides, KP has been pretty poor this season.all season anyway.

[Jaydog]

I don't think he's at fault.

In fact, ultimately I don't think the manager is always at fault when a club does poorly. There are a huge number of factors that must click for a team to do well, the squad, the individual players, injuries, luck, managerial ability, coaching staff, the dieticians, the physios, the groundstaff etc.

At the root of all of it is money. The one thing analysts say again and again and again and again and again and again and again is that money is the main factor in how a club does. We insist that is not true and we want to pin the blame on someone, or have a hierarchy of blame, it was 40% Radrizzani, 30% Orta, 20% Bielsa and 10% Marsch. I can understand the need to find someone to blame, but I think it's kinda nonsense.

But I do also think that, very simply, Bielsa is a better manager than Marsch. Maybe in time Marsch will carve out his own reputation, he is very young as a manager and has plenty of time to develop. Hopefully he gets his first real headline grabber on these islands by keeping us up this weekend.

Everything in life comes down to money especially in sport. I was obviously being sarcastic, a jibe at people who suggest it’s his fault if we go down and therefore he’s directly to blame for KP’s potentially lower price. The blame game is always a futile exercise as you suggest. Ultimately I hope he keeps us up and gets mid table next year. Maybe 9th, parity restored. And on that basis as good as Bielsa. Tongue firmly in cheek.

[mentalcase]

So essentially you "can't do" with people having a different opinion to yourself and that they must be "idiots" if their view doesn't align with your own.
I bet you're a popular guy.

VOAL

Not at all fella, not at all.
IF you could be arsed reading through your own agenda, you may have just picked up that I said something along the lines that, we are in a relegation fight, it does nothing to help the team, but hey, your'e entitled to have a pop, if you think it's correct to undermine a relegation scrap to chant for the very person who put us in this situation in t' first place then fill your boots.
I'll bet your LESS popular.

[mentalcase]

[VoiceofaLurker]

I have no agenda, it's yours which has become tiresome.

VOAL

Not at all fella, not at all.
IF you could be arsed reading through your own agenda, you may have just picked up that I said something along the lines that, we are in a relegation fight, it does nothing to help the team, but hey, your'e entitled to have a pop, if you think it's correct to undermine a relegation scrap to chant for the very person who put us in this situation in t' first place then fill your boots.
I'll bet your LESS popular.

[Mountain]

Back in February Phillips agent Kevin Sharp said:-

"Kalvin was pleased that Leeds turned those offers down,"

"He has never asked to leave Leeds in all his time with the club and has no intention of doing that now or in the summer. "But I understand the offer that was turned down would have been a record for both buying and selling clubs. "So I would hope that Leeds would honour their promise of a new contract for him, which would then end any unsettling speculation about his future this summer."

Two weeks later, Phillips fired Sharp.

I said at the time, his agent said absolutely nothing wrong. How can a player get mad for an agent saying "he loves the club and is happy here", they say it all the time. It's not like it created some legal obligation.

It seems like Kalvin is pushing to get away from Leeds, and I wonder if he had his head turned. I guess we'll see over the summer. If he goes, f*** him, we move on.

[lufc1304]

I don't think Marsch will be wholly blameless if we go down, but neither will he be responsible, if that makes sense? He inherited a shot squad with key players injured or playing through injuries, so the cards were stacked against him to begin with. That said, his football is turgid, I'm not wholly convinced he knows what he's doing so he has to carry the can to some extent. However, despite protestations here and elsewhere that Bielsa Burnout was a fallacy, we could all see that the squad was in need of fresh legs last summer. It didn't happen and we are now suffering the consequences. For that, Radz, Orta, Kinnear and Bielsa all bear responsibility in my view.

Having said all that, the blame game is, as someone else pointed out, a worthless exercise. We are where we are, no matter who we think is to blame, and being at each other's throats about who the culprit or culprits are, solves nothing. We, the fans, are the one constant at a football club. We all have, and are entitled to have, opinions and those won't always align with every other fan. But tearing strips off each other is just sad and I suspect is driving people away from this forum which always had a rep for being a friendly and welcoming place. Disagree, sure; argue your point, definitely but, f**k sake, do it like grown ups.