The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 2nd February) Bielsa snubbed Harry Winks, Aaron Ramsey and van de Beek
Good Morning. It's Wednesday 2nd February, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road
Bielsa snubbed Harry Winks, Aaron Ramsey and van de Beek
Veteran Soccer journalist David Anderson has revealed that Marcelo Bielsa snubbed the opportunity to sign Harry Winks, Aaron Ramsey and van de Beek during last month's transfer window. Writing in the Mirror, Anderson explains that Bielsa's insistence that the squad is good enough to stay up, was the underlining factor why they didn't bring new talent in. He also applauds Leeds for not paying over the odds for Aaronson...
They (Leeds) were offered the chance to sign Harry Winks, Aaron Ramsey and van de Beek, but declined because the players and the deals were not right for them. Leeds chose to be hard to please in January because the consistent message from Bielsa is that he believes his squad is good enough to stay up."
Bielsa dislikes signing players in January because he feels any new acquisition needs a proper pre-season with him to adapt to his exacting physical standards. They were right to stop the bidding for Aaronson at £20million. It was obvious Red Bull Salzburg were not going to sell the US international in January and Leeds risked overpaying for the attacking midfielder by offering more. They are not Newcastle and have to operate within a budget.
Leeds should have at least got the Aaronson deal done
Phil Hay believes Leeds should have secured Brendan Aaronson's services during the January transfer window, even if it meant waiting until the Summer before he arrives at Elland Road. Messrs Orta and Bielsa believe the 21yo has the perfect crudentials to fill the vacant No 10 void. Unfortunately, they could not convince RB Salzburg to part with their prized asset midway through the season. Aaronson himself, was receptive to the idea about joining Leeds, but didn't want to rock the boat, and after two failed bids, Leeds gave up.
We are now hearing, other European clubs including Salzburg's sister club RB Leipzig and Italian giants AC Milan have joined the race. According to Hay, Leeds could have made the most of a bad situation by either securing the American International services, and loaning him back to Salzburg, or having a gentleman's agreement in the Summer:-
There would have been a premium in January definitely and I'm also not sure what the reaction would have been to Leeds making a £20m-£30m signing and then loaning him out. Seems counter-intuitive, at least get the deal done.
Aaronson was very receptive about the idea of moving to Leeds. He just wasn't prepared to rock the boat at Salzburg by insisting on moving now (because Salzburg were extremely resistant to selling him). On the flip side, there's no gentleman's agreement with Salzburg - but the expectation is that they'll be far more open to selling him in the summer window.
Victor Orta - Hero or Villain
Not many people divide opinion as much as Leeds Director of Football Victor Orta. The flamboyant (and sometimes a little crazy) Spaniard was bought to Elland Road at the end of May 2017, just days after Andrea Radrizzani took charge. Orta played a massive role in bringing Marcelo Bielsa to West Yorkshire, and together they have been responsible for the talent coming in and out of the club.
One of the main aims of the club is to bring in, nurture and develop the young talent. Today, we look at the youngsters Orta has bought into the club, and ask whether Victor Orta is worth his weight in Gold, or whether they need an upgrade?
U23 signings
2018
Pascal Struijk - signed from AFC Ajax
Leif Davis - signed from Morecambe
Mateusz Bogusz - signed from Ruch Chorzow
2019
Stuart McKinstry - signed from Motherwell
Liam McCarron - signed from Carlisle United
Illan Meslier - signed from Lorient
2020
Elia Caprile - signed from Chievo Verona
Ian Poveda - signed from Manchester City
Joe Gelhardt - signed from Wigan Athletic
Charlie Allen - signed from Linfield
Cody Drameh - signed from Fulham
Dani van den Heuvel - signed from AFC Ajax
Sam Greenwood - signed from Arsenal
Crysencio Summerville - signed from Feyenoord
2021
Amari Miller - signed from Birmingham City
Leo Hjelde - signed from Celtic
Lewis Bate - signed from Chelsea
Sean McGurk - signed from Wigan Athletic
2022
Mateo Joseph Fernandez - signed from Espanyol