Good Morning. It's Tuesday 6th September, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Llorente's days could be numbered
Elland Road journalist Beren Cross believes Diego Llorente's days could be numbered after last Saturday's horror show in Brentford. He has accused the Spanish International of overcomplicating the most simplist of tasks, and failing to read the game. With Liam Cooper finally fit, and waiting patiently on the bench, should we expect to see them swap places?
Llorente has reverted to overcomplicating simple tasks in recent matches. The defender cannot seem to shake the habit of Cruyff turns on the edge of his own box or trying a drag-back when his team’s 4-2 down and there’s an attacker three yards away."
The 29-year-old misread a simple through-ball in the lead-up to the third goal which forced Illan Meslier off his line, failed to react to Bryan Mbeumo’s run for the fourth strike and then gave up the fifth with that aforementioned drag-back. Llorente’s at the point where he needs to be taken out of the firing line now, for his own good.
Leeds could end up paying £10m plus for Gnonto
FC Zurich president Ancillo Canepa has disclosed that Leeds could end up paying in excess of £10m for Italian International Wilfried Gnonto. The 18 year old joined Leeds late on deadline day, after moves for Hwang, Gakpo and Dieng simultaneously fell through. Media reports have suggested that Leeds were always going to sign Gnonto, but were initially going to wait until January. With three failed transfers in as many hours, the Elland Road hierarchy were left with enough egg on their faces to make the World's biggest omelette; so, desperate to appease Leeds fans, Gnonto was signed. Canepa has hit back at media sources claiming Leeds have picked up a bargain, labelling them clueless...
These people are clueless. (They) don’t know the contract details. The transfer took place under the conditions we had imagined. We negotiated well and didn’t let ourselves be disturbed; even if the transfer was only registered five minutes before the end of the window.
Cresswell excelling at Millwall
Charlie Cresswell is starting to have a massive influence at Millwall. The 20 year old has started five out of the eight league games for the Lions, as well as one substitute appearance; during which, he has become one of their most influential players. With three goals, and two man of the match awards, Whites fans could be excused for wondering whether we loaned the right defender out. His aerial ability has been staggering too. 'Whoscored' have awarded him a rating of 4.7, the equivalent of Klich, Harrison, Adams, Arronson, Bamford, Gelhardt, Roca and Kristensen combined.
Unfortunately, the same can't be said of Jamie Shackleton. Although he's started 7 out of 8 of the league fixtures (and substitute in the other), he has failed to have the same kind of influence as his Leeds teammate, languishing in 14th place on Millwall's 'Whoscored' register, 13 places lower Cresswell.
Pundit slams ref for double standards
Former player, now pundit Chris Sutton, has accused referee Robert Jones, and VAR coordinator David Coote of double standards are ignoring Leeds appeal for a penalty, after Crysencio Summerville was bundled to the floor during Saturday's encounter at Brentford. Having already awarded a dubious spot kick to their opponents in the first half, Leeds were due the benefit of the doubt, but staggeringly, the incident wasn't even reviewed. Sutton said...
In Brentford against Leeds, Ivan Toney won a penalty when referee Robert Jones was told by VAR David Coote that there was a foul by Luis Sinisterra. He was right — there had been and this was a worthy spot-kick. But then when Leeds’ Crysencio Summerville was dragged down by Brentford’s Aaron Hickey in the second half, nothing happened. No VAR intervention. No visit to the monitor for Jones.