Leeds United January transfers, takeover status and contract expectation - Graham Smyth's full Q&A transcript
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Transfers, as ever, dominate the mailbag but there are also the obligatory references to fighting, insane hypotheticals and tactical issues to work through as Jesse Marsch prepares his Whites for a trip to Newcastle United and a fascinating few weeks in the January market.
Leeds United Q and A
Key Events
- January transfer window almost upon us
- Work to do to bolster the squad
- The Radrizzani era entering its final months?
- The job facing Jesse Marsch
Joel (@JoelM69) Serious question, Patrick Bamford, what is going on?
According to Jesse Marsch they expect him back in training next week. The problem with writing about Patrick Bamford is that no matter what you say, in terms of an update, there will be disbelief in response because he’s had such a rough time of it. Adam Forshaw went through this very thing. The best thing for Leeds would be to pick up a striker who can hit the ground running in January, compete with Rodrigo - whose goalscoring record this season is very good - and allow Bamford to slowly, steadily work his way back up to speed. Reliance upon him is not the answer. He needs patience. He’s been out of regular competition for such a long time.
ALEC ISSIGONIS (@WaleRuddy): DEAR DR G. SMYTH, WHICH OF THE LEEDS PLAYERS IS MOST LIKELY TO SEND ME NICE PHOTOS OF HIPPOS. I LIKE HIPPOS AND LEEDS UNITED SO I AM CURIOUS TO ASCERTAIN YOUR ANSWER.
Inside voice, Alec, inside voice. Didn’t Illan Meslier go on safari last summer? He’s your man.
@AllLeeds______: Who’s the better player for our current team, Phillips or Adams?
A controversial one perhaps but it’s Adams for me. I feel like he’s ideally suited to Marsch’s system in a way that Phillips maybe wasn’t. I’m not sure that playing in a two or a three really fits Phillips that well. My suspicion, which is not backed up by research, data or science, is that Adams might be a little more mobile. He’s four years younger, too and Phillips - as durable as he is - has had his struggles with injuries.
Archie (@aparr8): Leeds player most likely to do punditry after retiring?
Adam Forshaw is a great talker and a thinker. Patrick Bamford definitely has the charm and eloquence for it.
Paul Luczak (@PaulLuczak): Jesse’s hometown of Racine, Wisconsin is famous for their Danish Kringles. There are a few rival bakeries that claim superiority (O&H, Bendtsen’s, etc). Has Jesse commented on his favorite Kringle bakery, and has he treated the press corp to this local delicacy yet?
He has not, leading to my next question - why has he not?
Bill (@billy_white__): Are Leeds United in a leadership crisis? The likes of Ayling, Cooper, Bamford to an extent all looking to potentially be moved on in the near future. Are Leeds United short of leaders with a young squad and could this potentially be their downfall? I see Cooper getting into this starting 11 on leadership qualities alone, not ability. Similar sort of effect to Jordan Henderson
It’s an interesting part of the transition from the promotion team to the future team, isn’t it? Tyler Adams brings leadership, as captain of his national team, and Maximilian Wöber is captain at Salzburg so perhaps his signing, if it got over the line, would be a further attempt to address this area. Players can grow into leadership as well, though, so maybe there are some in the younger cohort yet to exhibit the ability to lead on the pitch.
Lizzie Donaghy (@lizziloumac): I wouldn’t let Klich go in January - would you?
From a Leeds United footballing point of view, no. He’s a good option, still, and the squad isn’t so big that it can afford to lose good options. From a rewarding individuals who have served with outstanding dedication point of view, yes I would. I’m not sure the club would want an unhappy player on their books and let’s be honest, he’s not starting games. Even with Tyler Adams out suspended he didn’t get a start. If he asked to leave, then the answer would have to be a yes I’m afraid.
TJ Singh (@raajest): Did it take you long to work your bum groove into your desk chair or did you find you and Phil share similar glute shape/size?
I was barely in the chair long enough to fashion my own bum groove before the pandemic removed me from the office, but I’ll take a good look at him at St James’ Park on Saturday and do a comparison of sorts.
@EastStandUpper: Do any of the new contracts being offered have relegation clauses?
My, what a leading question. Without intimate knowledge of the contract details, I’d suggest that Leeds probably looked after themselves with clauses. It’s well known that had Leeds gone down after a season or two in the Premier League then player wages would have gone down too, due to the contracts they were on. It’s good business sense to protect yourself.