The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 11th February) Barcelona line up Meslier bid
Good Morning. It's Friday 11th February, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Barcelona line up Meslier bid
Spanish Sporting News outlet Mundo Deportivo have linked Illan Meslier with a €20m move to the Nou Camp in the Summer. The 21 year old has established himself as one of the best keepers in the Premiership since promotion to the top flight was gained in 2020. His performances have caught the eye of many top European heavyweights, such as Paris St-Germain, though no official bid was ever made.
Barcelona Manager, Xavi, is looking for a new shot stopper as German International Marc-Andre Ter Stegen has a persistent knee problems, and second choice Neto is expected to leave the Nou Camp at the end of the season. Last Summer, Mesier signed a new long term deal, tying him down until the Summer of 2026.
Conceding goals is more about tactics than the actual individual defenders
Elland Road journalist Phil Hay has questioned the defensive strategy of the back four rather than blaming the individual players themselves. Whilst the high press which Bielsa implements is fantastic to watch, it continually leaves us over exposed at the back. Leeds have conceded 43 times this season so far, compared to 38 this time last season. The biggest difference is goals scored. Without Bamford, we are twelve goals worse off (39 in 20/21 after 22 games, compared to 27 this term). Only Newcastle and Watford have conceded more goals than Leeds this season, and Hay believes that opposition players are able to counter too easily, and suddenly all the good work Leeds have done, has been undone!
When you talk about the defence at Leeds, it's more a discussion about structure than the back four. Bielsa's tactics and defensive strategy has always been based on pressing and energy from the top of the team backwards. One of the issues is the way that opposition sides cut through the middle and get Leeds on the run. That was evident on Wednesday night, it's not a new thing. But I found it quite interesting that there's been so much talk about centre forwards when actually, what's happening at the other end of the field is just as much of a factor in results."
The first (of Villa's goals) was a classic ploy of pull someone (Ayling) miles out of position, beat him one on one and exploit the space that leaves. It's an established tactic against Bielsa."
The way Leeds concede goals puts so much pressure on them. You saw it at Villa Park, you saw it against Brentford and also at West Ham (although they were able to win that game). They can play really well and put themselves in a great position and then suddenly, the pressure’s on. And as a rule, I wouldn’t say you’d look at too many of the goals they concede and say they were outstanding."
Struijk can join the ER Elite
Pascal Struijk will soon join the Elland Road elite, according to Leeds journalist Phil Hay. The 6ft 3' centre back is set for his 50th appearance on Saturday against Everton, four years (and a few days) after joining Leeds from Ajax for a nominal sum. Struijk, 22, has become one of the big success stories under Bielsa's reign, and his performances are getting better and better. According to Hay...
I feel like you can put Struijk in the bracket of high value players at Leeds - with Phillips, Raphinha, Meslier. He wouldn't command as high a fee as them at this stage but a little further down the line, I think he'll be worth a lot of money. Between his comfort on the ball and his body shape, he's got everything you need in a centre back.