Mighty Leeds Weblog

NOT HISTORY Written by: Moxcowhite • Daniel Chapman For half an hour I thought, through a prism of the past, I was seeing the future of Leeds United, at least for the rest of this season. Brenden Aaronson’s 22 years of talent, stretched by the Premier League and the World Cup, snapped, giving a goal to West Ham. Crysencio Summerville, also cracking in his youth, was subbed off instead of being sent off for leaving immature retributive stud marks just below Vladimír Coufal’s knee. In their place came Jackie Harrison, who from deep in midfield fed Rodrigo with irresistible passes straight and through West Ham’s defence, that had to and did find at least an equaliser. And, setting the tone for the comeback with desperately necessary drive from midfield, was Mateusz Klich. These were two of the players who have delighted us since 2018. Frustrated us, too. Klich had yet another impressive night from the bench, and still managed to miskick a shot sending the ball so high, and so far aw...

Leeds United bid farewell to experienced midfielder Mateusz Klich at Elland Road on Wednesday night as the Polish international prepares to embark on a new journey in the United States Joe Donnohue Klich broke down on the pitch at full-time and had to be consoled, first by Luke Ayling, then several other teammates as the realisation this would be his final time representing Leeds at Elland Road dawned upon him. The 32-year-old was given a guard of honour by the squad and members of club staff as he departed the field one last time, unafraid to show his emotion having spent five-and-a-half years at the club where he has become a cult hero for his role in the Whites’ 2020 promotion and beyond. Prior to Klich’s Elland Road swansong, Leeds had played out a 2-2 draw with West Ham who had gone five straight Premier League games without picking up a point, but almost left with three if not for Rodrigo’s 70th minute finish. The Whites toiled once more against a side stationed below them ...

Just shy of midnight Mateusz Klich signed his last autograph, posed for one final selfie and jogged to his car. By Graham Smyth It was parked in the players' section of Elland Road's West Stand car park, where it once sat for a full week in the wake of promotion celebrations that rendered him unfit to drive. It's no slight on Klich or what could be a bright future in the MLS to suggest that those were the best days of his career. In his own words, it was Marcelo Bielsa who made him a Premier League player, but in order for that to happen the player had to give the coach everything that he had. Playing all of the football, all of the time - as he did barring that one post-title visit to Derby County when the injury written in brackets after his name in dispatches should have read '(hangover)' - left him tired all of the time and undoubtedly questioning the sanity of it all at times, but the juice was worth the squeeze. Play-off semi-final heartache was exor...

"What have I done?" was written all over Brenden Aaronson's face after gifting West Ham United a goal at Elland Road. By Stuart Rayner At least it was not a winner- Rodrigo saw to that – and it took a brilliant Lukasz Fabianski save to stop the Spaniard snatching victory with the last act, but drawing 2-2 with the Hammers was not a good night's work for Leeds United. They did not just fail to take a golden opportunity, they donated one too. Keeping a clean sheet at Newcastle United, winning at Liverpool, hammering Chelsea, this is what Jesse Marsch's Whites are capable of. When the onus is on them, they are not so good. Like their passionate fanbase, they tend to produce their best when the odds are against them. They specialise in defiance but need to be better at taking what ought to be theirs. Once Gianluca Scamacca accepted Aaronson's charity to put West Ham 2-1 up, the crowd roared their team on and Marsch's histrionics towards "the c...

Leeds United’s first game of the new year ended in a 2-2 draw against Wednesday night’s Premier League visitors West Ham United after a pulsating and end-to-end contest at Elland Road. Lee Sobot Leeds went ahead in the 27th minute through a clinical finish from Willy Gnonto after a lovely move and one-two with Crysencio Summerville who laid on a perfect through ball. At 19 years and 60 days old, Gnonto became the third youngest Italian scorer in Premier League history and also the youngest Leeds top-flight scorer since James Milner in April 2004. West Ham, though, equalised in the 45th minute after the intervention of VAR led to an Irons penalty for Pascal Struijk's foul on Jarrod Bowen and Paqueta coolly converted the spot kick. The Hammers then went ahead less than one minute into the second half as a misplaced pass from Brenden Aaronson was cut out by Gianluca Scamacca who punished Aaronson with a perfect first time finish from the edge of the box that went in off the post...

Leeds United 2-2 West Ham United: David Moyes seemed to be heading for a crucial victory thanks to goals by Lucas Paqueta and Gianluca Scamacca but it was not to be Richard Jolly If David Moyes’s losing run is over, it will need more than one draw to ensure he does not lose his job. When Wilfried Gnonto put Leeds ahead, West Ham were headed for a sixth successive defeat and the relegation zone; their most successful manager since Harry Redknapp may have been destined for the sack. Yet when Rodrigo scored Leeds’ classy equaliser, Moyes was denied the victory that would have solidified his position, taken his side above their hosts and lent the impression a new year would bring a shift in fortunes. Instead, West Ham have to console themselves with a first point since October and the sense a huge outlay may not have all been in vain. If Moyes’s signings put his job at risk, perhaps they have now bought him a little more time. Such respite as he got came from players who formed part ...

The former West Ham United defender would make the £18million move to Leeds to become one of the most expensive defenders of his time Former Leeds United defender Rio Ferdinand has lifted the lid on his record breaking move to Elland Road. He was one of the hottest prospects in English football and has since enjoyed an illustrious career. However, the former Whites defender claims he didn't want to leave the Hammers, but it be the best decision of his career. Ferdinand claims to have turned down a move to Chelsea, who were offering the match Leeds' offer, but a phonecall with David O'Leary saw him sign on the dotted line. Speaking to the Joe Cole Cast, Ferdinand said: "Leeds were a team that were hoovering up all the best young players. They had a really exciting squad that were on the cusp of some success it seemed - who could challenge a Man United at the time, playing Champions League Football. "Do you know what, I didn't want to leave West Ham but ...

Leeds United have announced the signing of former West Ham United forward Sonny Perkins on a three-year contract By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have signed Sonny Perkins on a contract until June 2025 after the expiry of his West Ham United deal earlier this summer. The 18-year-old England youth international had attracted the attention of several clubs once it became apparent he would not extend his stay with the Hammers however it is Leeds who have won his signature. Perkins made appearances in the Premier League and Europa League for the London club last season, coming off the bench against the Whites during Leeds’ 3-2 victory at the London Stadium, as well as featuring against GNK Dinamo Zagreb in Europe. Son of former Ireland Under-21 international Declan Perkins, Sonny has represented England at several age groups and is currently an Under-18 international. "Sonny becomes the club’s seventh summer signing, after the arrivals of Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen, M...

Leo Hjelde says training at Leeds United under Marcelo Bielsa came as an initial shock to his system. By Joe Urquhart The 18-year-old defender made the move to Elland Road last summer from Scottish Premiership outfit Celtic, as Victor Orta' s scouting team ended a lengthy pursuit with his signature. Hjelde has made a swift impression in West Yorkshire, stepping into Mark Jackson's Under-23s ranks before being handed a senior bow for the Whites. Bielsa's side have faced an ongoing injury crisis this season which has shown no signs of letting up in recent months. The Norwegian was handed a debut against West Ham in the FA Cup last month before making his Premier League bow against the Hammers just a week later. Hjelde has now detailed his preparation for the moment behind closed doors at Thorp Arch. "A lot of the senior players came up to me on the first day and just told me: 'it will probably take you a couple of weeks to do all the drills and things b...

Leeds United have firmly rejected the idea of selling either Kalvin Phillips or Raphinha in the January transfer window. By Graham Smyth West Ham United were reportedly lining up bids for Whites winger Raphinha and England International Phillips, but the YEP understands no offers were made. The Hammers did however express interest in the pair and were informed that neither would be leaving Elland Road. Raphinha has been in talks for a new contract and Phillips has put on record his desire for a new deal with the Whites, although the pair are yet to put pen to paper. Their current deals are due to expire in 2024 Leeds have been unable to secure their own priority target this month, Red Bull Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson, but have been adamant throughout the window that they had no plans to sell key men. There has been interest shown in winger Crysencio Summerville but unless Leeds can replace him, the youngster will stay part of Marcelo Bielsa's plans

Hammers could make further bid for Phillips in summer Moyes desperate to strengthen attack in winter window Jacob Steinberg West Ham’s determination to strengthen their squad this month has seen them make offers for Leeds United’s Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha. David Moyes wants to add more depth to his squad before the transfer window shuts on Monday night and has funds available as he tries to boost his side’s hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. West Ham’s search for a forward has seen them have a bid rejected for Raphinha and Moyes has also identified Phillips as a key target. It is believed that West Ham are willing to make Phillips their record signing and have had a £50m bid for the England midfielder turned down. However Moyes is ready to wait until the summer for Phillips if the transfer does not happen this month. The 25-year-old is out until March with a hamstring injury, but he has proven himself at international level and has formed a solid partnership ...

Zak Hardaker prefers the use of video technology in the sport he plays professionally, to the one used when he watches his beloved Leeds United. By Graham Smyth The Wigan Warriors centre, formerly of Leeds Rhinos, made his views on VAR quite clear earlier this month after watching in horror as Manuel Lanzini’s goal against the Whites was allowed to stand despite Jarrod Bowen’s clear attempt to play the ball in front of Illan Meslier, from an offside position. Like thousands of other Leeds fans, Hardaker felt compelled to pick up his phone and rant, on Twitter. “Put VAR in the bin!!” was his offering to the debate. A decision that took almost three minutes to reach left former Premier League referee Mark Halsey ‘shocked’ and yet again dismayed at the operation of video technology. “When I first saw the replay on the TV my opinion was that it was offside,” Halsey told the YEP. “Once Jarrod Bowen makes that movement towards the ball, in doing so challenging an opponent from ...

LEEDS UNITED managing director Angus Kinnear has slammed VAR decision-makers for a lack of consistency following two controversial incidents in the club's last two matches in both league and cup at West Ham. By Leon Wobschall Perhaps more than any other top-flight side, Leeds have been on the receiving end of a harsh technology calls via VAR so far this season. One arrived in last weekend's league win at West Ham after Mateusz Klich's 74th-minute strike was chalked off when he netted after getting on the end of a Raphinha pull back. However, instead of Leeds going 4-2 ahead, his effort was ruled out by VAR after cameras spotted the ball struck team-mate Rodrigo on its way into the back of the net. Rodrigo, who was standing in an offside position just inches from the line, inadvertently got the final touch, with VAR wasting no time in disallowing the goal. Seven days earlier, when Leeds visited the London Stadium for an FA Cup third-round tie, Manuel Lanzini cont...

Winning at West Ham would have been a terrific achievement at the best of times. By Lee Sobot Boss David Moyes has turned the Irons into genuinely one of the best teams in the division and another victory for the Hammers would have taken the London outfit just three points behind third-placed Chelsea. Yet Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United side managed to record easily one of their most impressive victories so far despite finishing Sunday’s contest with 12 players out either injured or suspended. A terrific victory in the most difficult of circumstances has now put the Whites nine points clear of the drop zone but, on this evidence, Leeds ought to be looking at the top half of the table and not the bottom, as and when the huge amount of injuries is resolved. That’s not to say that anybody will be getting carried away whatsoever with what was, ultimately, still only United’s fifth victory of the season. But, despite having basically a full team out, this was no smash-and-grab suc...

The only predictable element of Leeds United's madcap 3-2 win at West Ham United was Mike Dean's full-time joke. By Graham Smyth Here's the YEP take on a fine day out in the capital. Number of the day 15 Jack Harrison took the headlines with the hat-trick but Pascal Struijk took the ball 15 times, recovering it more than any other player on the pitch. Turning point West Ham's second Luke Ayling was a man possessed in the wake of West Ham's equaliser, driving Leeds forward. There was a collective desire from the players to recover the lead and get the win after a little wobble and a few mistakes. Ayling, Dallas and Klich in particular displayed body language that was reminiscent of the famous 5-4 win at Birmingham City. They were not to be denied. Good day Jack Harrison A first ever career hat-trick gives him four goals in two games, having not scored at all in the Premier League before the turn of the year. His confidence should be soaring. His...

Marcelo Bielsa’s injury-ravaged side produced a stunning upset at the London Stadium but, for the top-four race, it will leave a sense of injustice It was a not just victory but vindication; not just a vital three points for Leeds but for all the teams and supporters left embittered by the opportune postponement of the north London derby. After Marcelo Bielsa’s injury-ravaged squad pulled off a battling, breathtaking 3-2 victory over a weary West Ham on Sunday, the prevailing sentiment was that justice had been done and that the nature of Leeds’ performance showed the virtues of playing on. In the immediate aftermath, perhaps that was right too. While Arsenal’s predicament has been to some degree self-inflicted, Leeds’ list of casualties this season has amounted to a permacrisis. They arrived at the London Stadium without seven first-team players, including Kalvin Phillips and Patrick Bamford, and filled their bench with would-be debutants. And yet, from the ever-ruminating Biels...

Leeds United cannot stop running now. By Graham Smyth At the end of a week that brought questions over the suitability of his training methods during an injury crisis, Marcelo Bielsa sent his men out to grace the Olympic Park's London Stadium with a muscular, athletic, lung-bursting performance that fully deserved the 3-2 win at the end of it. Patrick Bamford was among a host of unavailable players, Rodrigo was a man among boys on the substitutes bench and both Adam Forshaw and Junior Firpo limped off in the first half, yet Leeds somehow still had enough. Had they crumbled in the face of a level of adversity that would have sent others scurrying to the Premier League with a filled-in postponement request form, Bielsa would have been metaphorically but soundly beaten with the hamstrings of Forshaw and Firpo. Suspicions, noted in the national press this week, about the relationship between murderball and its impact on players' bodies would have grown into a full blown for...