The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Tuesday 1st November) - Are the team carrying Bamford?
Good Morning. It's Tuesday 1st November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Are the team carrying Bamford
It's been eleven months Since Patrick Bamford last netted for Leeds. The once prolific goalscorer had just come off the bench following injury (against Brentford), and grabbed a last gasp equaliser, sending 36,000 jubilant Leeds fans into rapturous euphoria. Little did we know at the time, that his goal celebration would put him back out of action, and this would be the last time we would see him score.
The 29 year old has 99 career goals to his name (44 for Leeds). The hope is, that once he breaks his curse, the floodgates will open, but how likely is it? In the meantime, we see a shadow of the player, struggling for both form, and fitness, and with his confidence low, we've seen him miss guilt edged opportunities (including a penalty). How much longer has Paddy got; is his time running out?
Adams catching the eye of Europe's Elite
When Tyler Adams was branded surplus to requirements at RB Leipzig, Jesse Marsch knew he had to have him at Elland Road. The 23 year old had fallen out of favour with then Manager Domenico Tedesco, who was fired two months to the day Adams signed his five-year deal at Elland Road. The biggest obstacle Leeds had, was their turbulent relationship they had with their German counterparts. For over two years, the two clubs have been locked in a bitter feud regarding the £18m transfer for the services of Jean-Kevin Augustin.
Fortunately (and miraculously) for the Whites, Victor Orta had maintained good relationships with them, and soon persuaded them to part with the USA International. Fast-forward the clock four months, and Adams is quickly becoming a household name, not only at Elland Road, but across Europe.
On the pitch, only Fulham’s Joao Palhinha has made more tackles (53) than Adams (44) in the entire Football League this term. Nobody has tackled more players dribbling (24) than Adams. Adams’s combined tackles and interceptions tally (57) is only bettered by three players in the top flight. These impressive stats, and consistent performances have caught the eye of some of Europe's elite (and Manchester Utd). Should he carry his rich vein of form to the World Cup, his value could soar, but protected by a five-year contract, Leeds hold all the trump cards.
McKennie could become available in January
Football transfer guru Dean Jones has reported that Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie could become available during the January transfer window. The combative midfielder 24, would certainly add some bit to the Leeds midfield, alongside fellow USA International midfielders Brendan Arronson and Tyler Adams.
Spurs have looked at him before. Chelsea and Leeds are both aware of the fact he could become available. So, I think it’s a case of wait and see. Obviously, with the World Cup to come too, we will have to see what his condition and his state of mind is off the back of that.
Summerville wanted the No 7 shirt
When the squad numbers were released towards the end of pre-season, most were surprised to see Crysencio Summerville given the number 10 shirt. It had recently been vacated by Raphinha, who had recently departed for the Camp Nou. These were big boots to fill, especially for a developmental player, without a ingle league start to his name.
Initially Cry had his eyes on No 7, but Arronson's arrival soon put pay to that, but No 10 was available, and Summerville grabbed it with both hands. Making the step up from the Developmental squad isn't as easy as it sounds, as Gelhardt would tell you, and when an opportunity comes along (on or off the pitch), you have to make it count, as the 21 year old has shown in recent games. According to Phil Hay...
Every pre-season in every dressing room, footballers barter over squad numbers. Most prefer to stick with their existing shirts. Some would like to swap. Certain players consider their number a brand, others could not care less. It was no different at Leeds United last summer and the focus of attention when the club issued their squad list was Crysencio Summerville landing No 10 — a 20-year-old development squad winger without a league start in England taking one of the game’s most prestigious slots.
Ten was vacant because in early July, Leeds had sold its previous holder Raphinha: star asset, Brazil international, made for it in almost every way. Summerville was on the fringes of the first team at Elland Road and at a very different stage of his career. He wore 38 in the 2021-22 season and before this term began, he had eyes on number seven. It was nominally Ian Poveda’s shirt but Poveda was about to leave Leeds on loan. But before long, Brenden Aaronson arrived from Red Bull Salzburg, laid claim to seven himself and left 10 as the only traditional starting number up for grabs. It was waiting for someone to take it, so Summerville did.