Good Morning. It's Wednesday 26th June, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road
Betis eye another Leeds bargainDiego Llorente could make a surprise switch this Summer to the South-West region of the Iberian Peninsula, if reports from the continent are to be believed.
The 30yo centre-back was highly expected to have completed a permanent move to Roma by now, having spent the last 18 months on loan with the Giallorossi, not to mention a gentleman's agreement on a cut price £4.2m deal.
Several weeks have now passed with little communication from Daniele De Rossi's side, and suddenly Real Betis have emerged from nowhere, wanting to muscle in on the deal! The La Liga outfit have already got Leeds over a barrel as far as Marc Roca is concerned; and now it seems they want to try their luck again...
There just seems to be an endless amount of clubs keen to take advantage, and pick Leeds' pocket at every eventuality, whether it be Everton, Bournemouth, Roma or Betis!
Leeds fans told to stay away from pre-season tour of GermanyLeeds pre-season tour of Germany has erupted into chaos before it's even started, after the club revealed that all games will be played behind closed doors!
The club have firmly laid the blame with the German authorities, and insist that their plea's to reverse the decision have fallen on deaf ears. Telling Leeds fans not to do something could very well be counter productive. The last time this happened was mid July 2020, during lockdown.
Leeds had just won promotion back to the top flight, and fearing a mass party, Leeds Utd issued an order to stay away from Elland Road. The thousands that ignored the warning were treated to an open top bus with player appearances, and all the trimmings. It's not a great precedent to set!
I may be bias, but Leeds have some of the best fans in the World. Many spend thousands of pounds each year following their idols up and down the Country. We deserve better, both on and off the pitch. It's highly unlikely that streams will be made available either, meaning fans will only get to watch the matches against Harrogate Town (19 July) and Valencia (3 August) this Summer.
Their lack of organisation is reminiscent of their preparations for the 15/16 season, which included a 16-0 rout of an amateur Italian side (FC Gherdeina) that were so bad that even Noel Hunt scored a hattrick. To make matters worse, their next opponents (Romanian side Viitorul Constanta) didn't even turn up, later exclaiming that Leeds hadn't confirmed the game!
Leeds to miss out on duoBen Johnson is in advanced talks with Ipswich Town over a permanent Summer deal, according to the back pages of the papers yesterday.
It comes as a crushing blow for Leeds, who were hoping to find a long term solution to their full-back issues. To make matters even worse, fellow target Alfie Gilchrist looks set to join Serie A newcomers Como!
