Could the Leeds United trio still be on their way to Saudi Arabia?
The Saudi Arabia transfer market closes at 10 p.m. tonight (local time), although Liam Cooper, Junior Firpo, and Helder Costa might still leave.
Cooper recently turned down a lucrative move to Robbie Fowler’s Al-Qadsiah, but with less than a year left on his contract, he may reconsider if the right offer comes around! Several media sources claim that the Leeds stalwart is looking for a contract extension at Elland Road, which is quite unlikely. Junior Firpo is close to returning to action, but he is unpopular with many Leeds supporters, while Helder Costa has been ruled out entirely.
Is it fair that the Saudi window ends later than the ones in the European Leagues? With Al-Ittihad still interested in Mohamed Salah for £215 million, Liverpool might find themselves significantly richer but without their best player by tomorrow morning, with no possibility of replacing him until January.
Scapegoat or Villain
Illan Meslier endured more criticism than most players last season, but was it fair given that his defense was about as effective as a chocolate teapot? The Frenchman made just two saves per game on average while making 38 appearances, which is half of what he did during Leeds’ first season back in the top division. It’s reasonable to think that his confidence in his back four would have been minimal given how much his self-confidence was damaged.
He was expected to be among the first Leeds players to go this summer, but for unknown reasons, a transfer never happened. While it was encouraging to see a first team player resist the need to quit, I can’t help but feel that his reputation has been damaged by his performance from the previous year.
Since Leeds had just acquired Karl Darlow on a budget, they must have felt the 23-year-old was on his way. The former Newcastle shot-stopper, who is nine years older than him, did not come to Elland Road to warm the bench. Meslier’s importance to our side is how much? Is he the division’s top goalkeeper? Are you glad he decided to stay? How is Darlow doing now?
Can Bamford ever reclaim his position?
Patrick Bamford’s decline from being one of the best strikers in the country has been well-documented, just like his history of injuries. The hitman, who turns 30 this week, is one of the few players left for Bielsa’s reign to withstand both time and Bielsa-ball.
During Leeds’ first season back in the top division, he scored 17 goals and provided 8 assists, but since then, he has only scored 11 goals (and provided 7 assists). How probable is it that Bamford will reclaim his position in Daniel Farke’s starting lineup as he approaches a return to play following his most recent injury?
Given that Joel Piroe is statistically more than capable of filling the No. 9 jersey at this level and that Bamford is still reportedly making about £45,000 per week, should Leeds be trying to offload him or does he still have a crucial role to play?
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