Good Morning. It's Tuesday 12th October, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Phillips should have moved club last Summer
talkSPORT presenter Adrian Durham believes that Kalvin Phillips England career could be in jeopardy unless he moves on to pastures new. The ginger whinger went on to say that Borussia Dortmund's Jude Bellingham has surpassed the Yorkshire Pirlo by way of quality, due to Champions League football and being surrounded by better players. According to the tubby wind up merchant...
I think Phillips is the fall guy. He’s done nothing wrong, but Bellingham is a better player. He’s proven it in the Champions League as well as a top league in Europe. The time for him to move on was this summer, as much as I’m a Leeds sympathiser. He had an incredible tournament. He’s done all he can at Leeds United. They’re not going to get better. Now there’s a big fuss ‘oh he can’t go to Manchester United’ and how it’s holding him back. He’s not 19 or 21 either, he’s not one of those youngsters.
Does Durham have a point?
Many believe Leeds took a massive backwards step last Summer by way of recruitment. Bielsa's boys were riding the crest of a wave, having finished ninth in the top flight, and expectations were high. They found themselves at a crossroads; take advantage of the situation and plug the gaps in the squad, or consolidate. Unfortunately, Radz chose the latter.
Whilst every Leeds fan is eternally grateful for what Andrea Radrizzani has accomplished at Elland Road during his short tenure, the opportunity to move to the next level has vanished (for now) and Leeds find themselves once again in the shop window of the rich and famous. Nobody wants to be put in the same situation we found ourselves in during the Ridsdale era, but with investors queueing at the door, it's safe to assume our predicament is far from dire.
Whilst Durham's comments can be taken with a pinch of salt, deep down, does he have a point about Phillips?
Leeds expecting all players to be vaccinated against Covid shortly
Every first team member of the Leeds Utd squad will soon be fully vaccinated against Covid, according to Leeds Utd journalist Phil Hay. The news comes after an article from Sky Sports reported that as many as 50% of top flight footballers have refused the jab. Leeds are one of the few clubs to buck the trend, with a 90% participation. Hay expects the two remaining players to immunised shortly.
Leeds are very close to 100 per cent take-up and expect to get there shortly. They have a very qualified head of medicine and performance in Rob Price who is clued-in about COVID-19 and the players trust him. Some senior squad members went first with the vaccine, which seemed to encourage others to follow. There’s been no “anti-vax” resistance as far as I can tell and there is a general willingness to be double-jabbed.
Raphinha 'head and shoulders above everyone'
In his latest mail bag, Phil Hay has labelled Raphinha as being the most influential player going forward at the club! It seems, the 24 yo Brazilian can do no wrong. On his International debut for Brazil, he came on as a second half substitute; and was credited with two assists, and was the contributing factor in their third, as the five time World Champions came from behind to beat Venezuela 3-1.
Phillips is the player whom Leeds miss most but, in an attacking sense, Raphinha is consistently head and shoulders above everyone. Even aside from his touch and his vision, he has the most incredible engine. When he’s not carrying an injury he looks like he could run all night. I cannot say for sure what his true value is but it’s miles above the £17 million paid for him. It is quite noticeable how frequently supporters of other clubs mention him after games against Leeds.
Will Leeds become overly reliant on Raphinha as the season progresses? Is there anyone in the squad, not pulling their weight?
