The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Tuesday 15th March) - D-Day for Augustin decision
Good Morning. It's Tuesday 15th March, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
D-Day for Augustin decision
The hearing relating to the transfer dispute between RB Leipzig and Leeds will finally be heard by the Court of Arbitration of Sport (CAS) today. The Bundesliga outfit claim that Leeds owe them £17.6m (21 million Euros) for the signature of Jean-Kevin Augustin. The former French U21 striker signed on loan for the Whites during the 2020 January transfer window having missed out on Che Adams.
Leeds agreed to make the deal permanent, should they win promotion by June 30th. Augustin arrived at Elland Road out of shape, unfit and out of form, and lasted just three games, accumulating 47 minutes of pitch time. Radrizzani's lawyers found a loophole in the contract that would see them try to nullify the agreement. They argue that as the season extended beyond the June 30th cut off day, they should be able to walk away from the deal.
Should Leeds have to pay up, it could have a devastating effect on their Summer transfer kitty or could even be the difference between having to part with one of their star players in the Summer, or not! Obviously, however you look at the situation, Leeds did not do their homework properly, and someone should be held accountable! If you or I made an £18m mistake at work, what would happen to us?
Firpo may have played his last game for Leeds
Various media sources have claimed that Junior Firpo may have played his last game for Leeds. The 25 year old was stretchered off with a serious knee injury during the 3-0 defeat against Villa last week, and will miss the remainder of the season. Firpo has been disappointing since his 12.8m move last Summer. Apart from collecting nine yellow cards from his 15 appearances, the former Barcelona defender has not made much of an impact on the pitch. If rumours are true, a lower La Liga outfit such as Getafe would be a realistic option for him. Who would you like to see replace Firpo next season?
Marsch - 45 minutes was enough for Bamford
Jesse Marsch has defended his decision to haul off Patrick Bamford at half-time against Norwich, replacing him with Jack Harrison. The one time England striker has missed the majority of the season with various ailments, and it was thought that having played thirty minutes just three days previously, that forty-five minutes against Norwich was 'enough'.
First of all, very happy with Patrick, thought he had a very impactful 45 minutes, satisfied that that's all we needed to get out of him. Maybe 60 minutes might have been too much and it was pretty clear at half-time that was enough. I would guess that Patrick is fine. I think we just could see that physically, it [45 minutes] was enough.