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Leeds United: Former Leeds Academy youngster Tom Taiwo defends his Chelsea switch
Carlisle United midfielder Tom Taiwo has come out in defence of his decision to leave Leeds United three years ago, claiming his transfer to Chelsea was a "no-brainer".
Taiwo is expected to be included in Carlisle's starting line-up at Elland Road this evening, one of three ex-Leeds players set to feature against their former club, and his performance tonight will attract particular scrutiny.
The midfielder never appeared for United's first team but his name is synonymous with the bitter dispute which broke out between Leeds and Chelsea in 2006 over the London club's bid to sign three youngsters from United's academy.
Taiwo and fellow midfielder Michael Woods opted to join Chelsea, while another prospect, Danny Rose, rejected a transfer and signed a scholarship with Leeds. Chelsea later paid in the region of 4m for Taiwo and Woods.
Leeds chairman Ken Bates has been consistently critical of their decision to part company with United, suggesting their development would have been swifter had they opted to remain at Thorp Arch, but 19-year-old Taiwo – on loan at Carlisle from Stamford Bridge – said he took the sensible decision by moving to a Premier League side.
Taiwo said: "Leaving was difficult in the sense that it was my hometown club.
"But from the times when I had been happiest, people had left, people had moved on, and for me the chance of playing for the best team in the country at the time, receiving the best coaching with the best facilities, was a no-brainer.
"I can't understand what (Bates') problem is. He never spoke to me, never came to me and discussed his feelings. I was always very open and explained the reasons why I was looking elsewhere. For some reason he has a problem with what myself and Michael have done. But would we have been any higher or done any better with Leeds United? I don't know."
Ian Harte and ex-reserve team player Gavin Rothery may also be on show tonight, but greater fascination is likely to surround the involvement of Taiwo, a player who commanded a seven-figure fee as a 16-year-old.
"All my life I've wanted to play at Elland Road, in front of a big crowd," he said. "It was always my dream to play for Leeds United but playing against them is the next best thing."
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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