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Mateo Joseph interview: Switching to Spain, idolising Torres, aiming for the Premier League — The Athletic 17/10/24

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Guillermo Rai Mateo Joseph is fast making a name for himself. After being eased into senior action for Leeds United last season, the 20-year-old striker has become a regular this term. Born in Santander, Spain, to an English father and a Spanish mother, he represented England at youth level before switching allegiances to his country of birth. Last week, he scored a hat-trick for Spain Under-21s against their counterparts from Kazakhstan. Joseph will hope to take that form back with him to the Championship, where he has scored once and provided three assists for Daniel Farke’s team in nine appearances at the start of this season. In an exclusive interview with The Athletic, he explains why he had no hesitation in choosing to play for Spain, his footballing reference points and his aspirations. We ask him about a possible return to Spanish club football, where he was with Racing Santander and then Espanyol — but before that, he has unfinished business with Leeds. What did Leed
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Leeds United staff block free transfer deal — MOT Leeds News 17/10/24

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Max Wilkins Leeds United have pulled out of a deal to sign Cheikhou Kouyate on a free transfer after failing his medical, MOT Leeds News understands. The former West Ham and Crystal Palace midfielder had been linked with a move to Elland Road to cover for injuries suffered by Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev in recent weeks. The 34-year-old underwent medical tests at Thorp Arch this week but MOT Leeds News understands Leeds’ medical staff blocked any chance of a deal proceeding after failing to give him the all-clear. Kouyate is currently a free agent after leaving Nottingham Forest at the end of his contract last summer but looks set to remain without a club after this latest development. The midfielder would have provided cover for injuries for the Whites which have hit Daniel Farke’s side hard in recent weeks. Losing the two starting midfielders at Elland Road is certainly going to be a blow and will pile pressure on the likes of Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell. A move for Kouya
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Leeds United vs Sheffield United press conference live: Daniel Farke issues injury and free agent update amid early team news — YEP 16/10/24

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By Joe Donnohue Leeds United manager Daniel Farke hosts his pre-match press conference this afternoon ahead of the Whites' Championship fixture against Sheffield United on Friday. Leeds are without Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev for a number of months due to separate knee injuries, however United appear to have avoided any further problems to their international players during the break from domestic action these past two weeks. Those not called up by their countries spent time away from Thorp Arch following the 2-2 draw with Sunderland on October 4, but returned to the training ground last weekend in order to begin their preparations for Sheffield United on Friday night. Leeds have so far opted not to bring in a free agent to mitigate for Ampadu and Gruev's absence in defensive midfield, despite links to former West Ham United and Crystal Palace midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate. Amid conflicting reports, Farke could provide an update on the situation during his pre-match media
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This is how Leeds’ Illan Meslier can bounce back from his game-changing error — The Athletic 16/10/24

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By Nancy Froston It will have been a long two weeks for Illan Meslier by the time Friday night’s match between Leeds United and Sheffield United rolls around. There is never a good time to make the kind of high-profile error that saw the ball skip past Meslier and gift Sunderland an equaliser on October 4. But the fact that it happened in the last minute of stoppage time, taking the score to 2-2 with the domestic footballing void of the international break yawning before him, was cruel misfortune. Any mistake by a goalkeeper is costly and unique compared to those made by outfield team-mates. The punishment is, more often than not, going to result in a goal for the opposition. In Meslier’s case, regardless of whether a deflection or a divot made it more difficult to read, it cost his team points live on television. It is up to him, with the support of Leeds manager Daniel Farke, to rebuild his confidence and form. But how? “That goal ticks every box,” says former Leeds and Eng
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Graham Smyth outlines 'extremely difficult' Cheikhou Kouyaté decision amid Leeds United medical reports — YEP 15/10/24

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By Kyle Newbould Leeds United are considering a move for the former Nottingham Forest and West Ham United man. Cheikhou Kouyaté faces a huge task in proving his fitness to Daniel Farke as Leeds United continue to weigh up a possible move for the free agent midfielder, according to the YEP’s chief football writer Graham Smyth. Elland Road recruitment chiefs have been forced to assess the free agent market following serious injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev, with the former out until the New Year while the latter may not return until March. It leaves Leeds without a senior defensive midfielder and with the transfer window not open until January, players currently without a club are being looked at. Among a small group of options is Kouyaté, who seems the most likely to sign as things stand despite conflicting reports over the weekend. Football Insider suggested over the weekend that a move was off but have now claimed the 34-year-old will undergo medical tests at Thorp Arch
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'Start digging' — Graham Smyth's verdict on Leeds United Elland Road expansion plans — YEP 15/10/44

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By Kyle Newbould Leeds United announced plans to expand Elland Road last month but there is plenty of work to do before capacity can increase. Graham Smyth believes Leeds United can get their Elland Road expansion plans in place so that spades can hit the ground once promotion is secured. Leeds announced exciting plans to redevelop their iconic stadium last month, with the intention of increasing the capacity to around 53,000 - a significant improvement on the current 37,645 maximum. A phased construction project is expected to focus on the North and West Stands in a bid to bring Elland Road in line with UEFA's Category 4 status, which is reserved for Europe’s elite grounds. With a season-ticket waiting list of more than 20,000, Leeds would have no problem filling a 53,000-capacity stadium in the Championship but the financial challenges of continued second-tier football present an obvious risk, with revenue down massively compared to the Premier League. And the YEP’s chief
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Plymouth Argyle and Wayne Rooney may have new Leeds United fear after Cheikhou Kouyate twist — Football League World 15/10/24

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By Adam Le Roux There will be more than just a few Plymouth Argyle fans with one eye on happenings at Elland Road of late, with the news that a move for Cheikhou Kouyate has reportedly fallen through. The Whites looked set to sign the 34-year-old as midfield cover on a short-term contract, with the former Nottingham Forest man currently a free agent following his departure from the City Ground in the summer. But the latest report from Football Insider claims that any move from Daniel Farke’s side has hit the skids, with the Whites set to consider alternative options following their recent injury crisis leaving them short in the middle of the park. That brings Argyle’s loanee Darko Gyabi back into the forefront after a strong start to the season at Home Park, with those of a green persuasion hoping he remains a Pilgrim despite the ongoing issues in Yorkshire. After reports gathered pace at the end of last week, Kouyate looked set for a move to Elland Road, with player and club
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