Mighty Leeds Weblog

MAMBA MENTALITY Written by: Rob Conlon Even when Jackie Harrison is the story, he never gets to be the story. Facing the LUTV cameras after Leeds’ win over Accrington, Harrison’s contentment with his afternoon’s work was reflected in the cap he was wearing backwards, just like all the coolest kids wear theirs. Except Harrison isn’t considered one of the coolest kids at Leeds anymore. Four seasons at the same club makes a footballer old news — part of the furniture, like the old leather sofas in the West Stand hospitality areas that seem to have been there since Don Revie used to sit on them. Nothing is more exciting than a shiny new toy, so it didn’t take long before Jackie was being asked about how great Georgi Rutter is. It’s impossible to compete with the hype of a record signing, even when you’re Leeds’ third top scorer since returning to the Premier League, have created more goals than any other Leeds player in that time, and are the subject of a bid from a divisional rival.

By Phil Hay Leeds United defender Diego Llorente is set to sign for Roma on loan — just weeks after agreeing a new contract at Elland Road. Llorente, 29, is in Italy to finalise a temporary move which could see the Serie A side take him permanently in the summer. Leeds want a permanent obligation to buy clause as part of the deal, although an option has also been under discussion. If activated, a full-time move would see Leeds recoup the £18million they paid for Llorente when they signed him from Real Sociedad in 2020. Llorente put pen to paper on a new deal at Elland Road as recently as December 23, extending his terms to 2026. Leeds negotiated the extended terms to protect his value with Llorente’s previous contract due to expire in 2024 but the recent signing of Max Wober has made the Spain international surplus to requirements. Wober arrived from RB Salzburg earlier in this window and despite Leeds recruiting him as an option at left-back, a number of his appearances

IN THE MOMENT Written by: Moxcowhite • Daniel Chapman Leeds United went to Accrington and went into the fifth round of the FA Cup, efficiently if not joyfully, and given the fun has usually been at our expense in these situations that’s good. Feels odd, though. When the world’s oldest cup competition meets football’s tiredest joke the results are supposed to be more chaotic than this and part of me feels a little cheated. Jesse Marsch keeps insisting that he’s here to change this about Leeds United: “I’ve heard this a lot … [that] we always think we have to do it the hard way. Honestly, part of the job of being the manager of this club is to change that mentality.” But better coaches than him have demurred to the weight of our history, settling for adding something instead of changing things. It’s brave of him to try but I’ve never been keen on the idea and this game is why. The FA Cup. Live on the BBC on a cold Saturday lunchtime. Lower league opposition, away from home, a club ow

By Phil Hay In surpassing Rodrigo as Leeds United’s record signing, the biggest compliment Georginio Rutter could pay the Spaniard was to tell him that he was his go-to striker every time he played FIFA on his games console. Rutter’s preference, whichever club he adopted, was 4-4-2 with him and Rodrigo up front — computer animation about to mimic real life. Rodrigo was reined in at Accrington Stanley yesterday, limited to 21 minutes on the pitch as Leeds went west in the FA Cup. He and Rutter will dovetail properly in some form at a later date, possibly at Nottingham Forest in a week’s time. Rutter’s debut in the fourth-round tie, a £30million ($37.2million) investment unleashed, was in tandem with Patrick Bamford and others, the latest chapter in the story about the number of attacking assets competing for favour. The headcount has changed for a club who used to sweat about a shortage of No 9s. Leeds went big on Rutter, bigger than the £27million spent on Rodrigo two and a hal

Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch expressed his delight for left-back Junior Firpo after the Spanish defender scored his first goal in a Whites shirt against Accrington Stanley Joe Donnohue The 26-year-old netted Leeds’ second goal in a 3-1 win over the League One outfit as the Whites secured passage to the Fifth Round of the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon. Firpo started at left-back, as he did against Cardiff City in United’s 2-2 Third Round draw and subsequent replay. Marsch was unaware Firpo’s well-taken strike was his first for the club, but addressed the difficult period he has endured since joining in the summer of 2021. "I think Junior has been really good,” the head coach said. “I know he's had a tough time here with injuries and with fans sometimes being dissatisfied with him, but his mentality to work for the team and to try to get himself into really good form has been good and I think now he's played in three cup matches, and I think he's been one

Two goals in as many second-half minutes from Junior Firpo and Luis Sinisterra killed the tie Mark Walker Leeds avoided another FA Cup upset by winning 3-1 at Accrington to reach the fifth round for just the fourth time in 20 years. Jack Harrison’s stunning strike gave the Premier League side an interval lead and two goals in as many second-half minutes from Junior Firpo and Luis Sinisterra killed the tie. But it was not all plain sailing for Jesse Marsch’s side and Sky Bet League One side Accrington deservedly pulled one back through teenage substitute Leslie Adekoya’s first senior goal. But Leeds, dumped out of the cup by the likes of Hereford, Histon, Rochdale, Sutton, Newport and Crawley in recent years, had too much quality for their hosts and reached the last 16 for the first time in seven years. The opening exchanges were fast and furious. Accrington skipper Sean McConville stung Leeds goalkeeper Illan Meslier’s palms with a 25-yard drive and Shaun Whalley was denied

Leeds United eased their way into the FA Cup fifth round as goals from Jack Harrison, Junior Firpo and Luis Sinisterra ensured a 3-1 victory at Saturday’s lunchtime hosts Accrington Stanley. Lee Sobot Accrington put Leeds under early pressure but a series of Illan Meslier saves helped keep the hosts at bay and the Whites squandered the game's best early chance as record signing Georgino Rutter fired wide. Leeds, though, went ahead in the 23rd minute thanks to a terrific strike from Harrison who rifled the ball home from 25 yards out after Patrick Bamford's lay off. The frame of the goal then denied the Whites a second goal as Sinisterra's shot on the turn from the edge of the box rattled back off the post. The lively Rutter, Marc Roca and Rasmus Kristensen then had chances to add to Harrison's strike but Accrington continued to pepper the Whites goal only to be continually thwarted by Meslier who did spill one cross which Junior Firpo cleared. Patrick Bamford also

By David Ornstein Leicester City have made an offer of £20million for the Leeds United winger Jack Harrison. Leeds are deliberating over whether to sell Harrison or tie him down a new contract. It is also unclear what the 26-year-old will decide. Harrison has less than 18 months left on his current deal, but Leeds head coach Jesse Marsch has said he is keen for that contract to be extended. Harrison, who began his professional career at New York City FC, has spent the past five years at Elland Road, making a total of 171 league appearances for the club, scoring 27 goals. He started Leeds’ FA Cup match against Accrington Stanley on Saturday and scored the opening goal in the fourth round clash. Harrison previously attracted interest from Newcastle United, who saw an approach for him rebuffed by Leeds in the summer. Brendan Rodgers is looking to overhaul his attacking options as Leicester are also closing in on the signing of winger Tete — the Brazilian posted photographs

By Phil Hay Leeds United remain locked in talks with Juventus over Weston McKennie with the Elland Road club pushing to strike a deal for the midfielder in the last few days of the window. McKennie, 24, has been the subject of constant negotiations in the past 48 hours as Leeds try to complete their third major January signing before Tuesday’s transfer deadline. Leeds have already spent around £40million on Max Wober from RB Salzburg and Georginio Rutter from Hoffenheim and their interest in a new central midfielder has led to the door of USA international McKennie. Azzedine Ounahi was previously on the radar at Elland Road but Leeds were reluctant to meet Angers’ asking price for the Moroccan and reports in France indicate that Ounahi is set to sign for Marseille. McKennie, however, is firmly in Leeds’ sights and has indicated his desire to move to the Premier League if United can agree terms with Juventus. The structure of a potential deal for a footballer who Juve value

GOOD TIMES! Written by: Rob Conlon As a boyhood supporter who had a season ticket at Elland Road for nearly ten years and came through the club’s academy, returning to Leeds United as an Accrington Stanley player was one of the proudest moments of Will Hatfield’s career. Hatfield was a midfielder who played in Leeds’ academy with the likes of Tom Lees, Lewis Cook, and Kalvin Phillips. An appearance on the bench in Leeds’ FA Cup replay with Tottenham under Simon Grayson was the closest he got to a senior debut before he permanently left the club in 2012. Two years later, he finally got to fulfil his dream of playing at Elland Road when Accrington were drawn at Leeds in the second round of the League Cup. “When I found out it was Leeds I was buzzing, especially at Elland Road as well,” Hatfield says. “All my family were there. My dad’s a massive Leeds fan who took me to Elland Road until I started playing on Saturdays. I had a season ticket with my dad for just under ten years. Goi

Leeds United have sent Joe Gelhardt on loan to Sunderland for the rest of the season but insist he remains in their long term plans. By Graham Smyth The Black Cats reached terms with the Premier League outfit yesterday after a hotly disputed race for Gelhardt’s services. Sunderland were one of several Championship sides hoping to secure a loan deal and although the player initially favoured a return to Wigan Athletic, the chance to get involved in a charge for the play-offs swayed him. Leeds are understood to have decided that Sunderland represented the best move for the 20-year-old. Gelhardt, who arrived at Elland Road in 2020, made his senior breakthrough last season and was at the heart of a number of memorable moments in the survival battle. The penalty he won against Wolves at Elland Road helped seal a vital point, and although his first Premier League goal came in defeat at Chelsea, his second was a famous late winner at home to Norwich City. He also ended last term with fo

By Phil Hay Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt has completed a loan move to Championship side Sunderland. Sunderland have worked successfully to wrap up a deal with Leeds over the past few days. Numerous Championship clubs made January enquiries for Gelhardt, who is on the fringes of the first-team plans at Elland Road, and the 20-year-old was strongly considering returning to Wigan Athletic last week, the club who sold him to Leeds in 2020. Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers were among the alternative offers made to United, however, and Sunderland have pushed this week to beat their divisional rivals to the punch, tempting Gelhardt to join their play-off bid. Gelhardt is aiming to undergo a medical tomorrow. Sunderland play Fulham in the FA Cup on Saturday afternoon, making Gelhardt’s debut likely away at Millwall the following weekend. The deal with Sunderland includes no permanent option with Leeds continuing to see the England youth international as part of their longer-ter

JAMIE KEMP / AUTHOR, MATT SISNEROS / DESIGN, JONNY WHITMORE / DATA VIZ “And somebody like Gnonto, would he be Premier League ready in your mind?” came the question. It was 19 August 2022 – a day before Leeds were set to host Chelsea – with Jesse Marsch doing his usual pre-match press conference. The defining days of the transfer window were fast approaching, and an interest in Wilfried Gnonto, an 18-year-old forward at FC Zürich, had been circulating in the days leading up to the match. With Marsch rarely one to return an abrupt answer, it was always worth asking him to shed some light. Before the question from the BBC’s Adam Pope could even be completed, though, the Leeds coach interjected. “No, no… no.” What followed from Marsch assured that Gnonto was not a player for the present in their mind, nor a signing that Leeds were even sure they could secure before 2023. The Italian was someone they were aware of but not bound to, and their attacking plans wouldn’t hinge on an 18

For a team Jesse Marsch insists until he is blue in the face is making good progress and achieving greater clarity, Leeds United's best XI is far from obvious. By Stuart Rayner Perhaps that is because this is 2023, when many clubs no longer have an identifiable strongest team. The addition of Georginio Rutter, the emergence of Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto, and the reinvigoration of Patrick Bamford means the Whites have plenty of options up front. Rodrigo is their top scorer, Luis Sinisterra is fit again, and Jack Harrison and Brenden Aaronson are in the mix too. But it is in defence where Leeds most need to get their act together to avoid the sort of nerve-shredding relegation battle they put supporters through last season. Marsch was brought in precisely because Leeds had become an embarrassingly soft touch defensively at the end of Marcelo Bielsa's reign. Losing 3-0, 4-2, 6-0 and 4-0 was no way for one of the great figures in the club's history to si

Leeds United youngster Joe Gelhardt could travel to Sunderland for a medical tomorrow to finalise a loan move to Sunderland. By Graham Smyth The YEP understands that the Black Cats have agreed to contribute a significant chunk of the youngster's wages for the second half of the season in order to secure the loan - which comes without an obligation or option to buy. Gelhardt was initially sold on the idea of a return to his former club Wigan Athletic, to help in their fight against relegation to League One. The prospect of being close to home and surrounded by familiar faces was a big pull for the 20-year-old, and Wigan were ready and able to stump up the necessary financial package to make it happen. Blackburn Rovers and Swansea City were among his other suitors and also prepared to match Leeds' salary contribution requirements, but the Welsh side dropped out of the race last week. Upon further reflection with his parent club and his advisors, Gelhardt, who boasts 15

By Phil Hay Leeds United defender Cody Drameh has joined Luton Town on loan until the end of the season. The Athletic reported earlier on Thursday that the right-back was close to a move to the Championship side. He impressed in the division last season when he spent half a season on loan at Cardiff. He won the club’s player of the season award, along with their young player of the season trophy. The 21-year-old has made three appearances for Leeds’s first-team this season in all competitions. A Leeds statement added: “We would like to wish Cody the best of luck during his time away from the club and he could make his debut next Tuesday, as his new side come up against his former side Cardiff in a Championship clash at Kenilworth Road.” Luton are seventh in the Championship and are aiming to secure in the division’s play-off places over the rest of the campaign.

SMALL WORLD Written by: Moxcowhite • Daniel Chapman Jesse Marsch finally has an assistant to fill the gap created when Mark Jackson left his coaching role to take over in the gap in the league table occupied by MK Dons. Chris Armas is best known in the Premier League for being laughed out of Old Trafford while trying to help the reddest bull of them all, Ralf Rangnick, convince the squad of overpaid brats over there to run. The aftermath of that half-season is only one place to look for information about Armas, though. Another place is in the gushing profiles that were talking up his arrival. “The first thing Jesse Marsch told me about bringing Chris in was that the guy’s a winner,” Max McCarty told The Athletic, about Marsch bringing his old Chicago Fire teammate to be his assistant at NYRB back in 2015. In training, according to teammate Alex Muyl, Armas then showed himself to be “a fucking competitor.” This reminded me of a profile of Marsch himself, on the MLS website, from

Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch faces the media this afternoon as he prepares to take his side to League One Accrington Stanley in the FA Cup Fourth Round Joe Donnohue Leeds negotiated their way past Championship outfit Cardiff City at the second time of asking in the previous round, while Accrington required extra-time to defeat non-league Boreham Wood. The League One club are in the midst of a relegation battle, hoping to remain in the third tier but recognise progression in English football’s oldest club competition is also a vital money-spinner. Saturday lunchtime’s game will be broadcast live to the nation on BBC One at 12:30pm from the Wham Stadium in Lancashire. Jesse Marsch is understood to be pleased about the quality of the pitch at Accrington, and hosts his pre-match press conference this afternoon from 1:30pm. Marsch on FA Cup memories I remember watching Arsenal when they had a good run under Wenger when they were winning the FA Cups. I remember in college w