Mighty Leeds Weblog

By Stuart Rayner That Sheffield United were oozing with respect for Leeds United on Friday was perhaps not the best sign for Daniel Farke's team but they justified it without giving much back once the first whistle blew. Manager Chris Wilder buttered Leeds up in his pre- and post-match press conferences, calling them one of England's "top-six" clubs beforehand, and nominating them as champions elect afterwards. He even wore a suit and tie for the game. Mind games, if that is what they were (he constantly insisted not), were never likely to have much effect on a derby but respectfully changing formation from 4-2-3-1 to five at the back could have. The visitors were well and truly dug in – just the kind of team Leeds sometimes struggle to break down. Regardless of how much was down to a midfield which has forced Farke to swap two injured ball-winners for what he calls "ballers", how much just the positivity of a team who showed what they were capable

By Graham Smyth The YEP’s take and off-camera moments from Friday night’s win against the Blades. Leeds United's midfield might be the problem area thanks to injuries but it looked in safe hands on Friday night against Sheffield United. Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka put in an accomplished all-round tandem performance to nullify the Blades' threat on the counter and give the visitors headaches a-plenty when the ball was in the Whites' possession. It was as comprehensive a 2-0 win as you will see and only one of these Yorkshire sides lived up to the title of promotion favourites. Here's the YEP take. Good day Joe Rothwell When we spoke to counterparts in Southampton about Rothwell's impact there last season the responses were hardly a ringing endorsement of his arrival as a new signing at Leeds. However, he has been presented with a big opportunity and he's taking it. This was a tour de force and not just on the ball. Some of his passing was excellent, so

By Graham Smyth If the Championship was an exercise in looking after the ball then Leeds United would be out of sight. They boast the second-highest possession average in the league [Swansea pip them by 0.2 of a percent] and the highest passing accuracy. They have played the most accurate passes. To date, no one who has played against the Whites has passed the ball quite as beautifully or intricately as Leeds can. And according to Chris Wilder, no one else in the division is as good as Daniel Farke's outfit. But crisp one-touch passing, sumptuous swinging switches of play and incisive through-balls that cut a midfield or defence to ribbons are not what will win the Championship title. Taking chances and scoring goals will. And because Leeds remembered to do that part, their utter dominance of Sheffield United counted for far more than just Yorkshire bragging rights. Pascal Struijk's finish, by his own admission, owed a little bit to his shin pad. That goal, from a corne

By Lee Sobot Leeds United took on Sheffield United in a Friday night Championship Yorkshire derby at Elland Road. A very rare feat strike helped Leeds United return from the October international break in style as a 2-0 win at home to Sheffield United sent the Whites into the Championship’s automatic promotion places. Leeds' failure to score from corners has been very well documented of late but the hoodoo finally ended in Friday night's Yorkshire derby as Pascal Struijk powered home a Joe Rothwell delivery. His strike looked set to be the only goal of the game but Leeds put the gloss on an excellent display with a second goal in the 89th minute through substitute Mateo Joseph who was played in by Joel Piroe and applied a clinical finish to put the Blades to bed. The Blades initially began brightly but Leeds gradually got going and the lively Largie Ramazani saw a shot from a tight angle clip the outside of the post with 24 minutes on the clock. A few minutes later,

By Stuart Rayner If Leeds United and Sheffield United are to repeat their Championship promotion struggle of 2019, the Whites laid down a real marker at Elland Road on Friday night. They might only have won 2-0 but both sets of players knew the reality of the situation, this has been as comprehensive as such a narrow scoreline can be. If you were nit-picking you would say it was yet another reminder that this Leeds team needs to be more ruthless but for anyone who supports them, it was not a night for nit-picking. It leaves the Yorkshire rivals level on points with Championship leaders Sunderland, who play at Hull City on Sunday. Leeds are only second on goal scored. The Blades went into the game having not conceded a league goal in 606 minutes of football, or lost all season, but they could not live with a Leeds side who can sometimes struggle at Elland Road against teams as defensive as they forced the Blades to be, but who passed the ball with a speed seldom seen there, an

The defender was demoted to Leeds United's Under-23s squad after arriving at Elland Road in the summer of 2019 Ben White says Marcelo Bielsa's tough training regime at Leeds United pushed him to his limits and helped shape him into the player he is today. The defender moved to Elland Road on loan from Brighton and Hove Albion in the summer of 2019, playing a key role under then Whites boss Bielsa as the West Yorkshire outfit secured promotion back to the Premier League. White was a revelation in defence. His impressive form saw him named the club's young player of the season. But White admits he struggled initially to settle into his new surroundings and warm to Bielsa's methods. In an interview with Ben Foster for Amazon Prime, White claimed he was made to spend weeks in the Under-23s changing room after arriving at the club. "When I first went to Leeds, I got in there, two days in I was in the first-team changing room," he said. "The first team

By Leon Wobschall LEEDS United manager Daniel Farke and his Sheffield United counterpart Chris Wilder have had their ‘moments’ together, for sure. Like in September 2017 when the latter, in his first spell in charge of the Blades, was angered by what he viewed as deliberate time-wasting tactics employed by Farke’s Norwich City side in a 1-0 victory at Bramall Lane. Wilder also accused Farke of being disrespectful after reporting late for a pre-match meeting involving himself and the match officials in that aforesaid game. After the Blades won the return fixture in Norfolk, Wilder sarcastically pointed to his watch amid the visitors’ post-match celebrations. Earlier this season, there was also a bit of tension in the air following comments made by Wilder regarding Leeds’s pursuit of Gus Hamer and the signing of Jayden Bogle. Despite all the history, the relationship between the pair remains a good one. They count themselves as friends away from the pitch and there is plent

By Joe Donnohue Leeds United Under-21s attacker Luca Thomas has joined National League side York City on a short-term loan deal. The 20-year-old forward has scored nine goals in seven appearances for the U21s this season and has attracted the interest of the local, fifth-tier club who are seeking a return to the Football League for the first time since 2016. Thomas is expected to feature at the LNER Community Stadium, a ground he is already more than familiar with having played there with Leeds' U21s, due to injuries to boss Adam Hinshelwood's alternate attacking options. The Leeds youngster joins the Minstermen on a short-term loan deal which should ensure the club can send Thomas on loan to a Football League club in January if his progress at York indicates he'd be better tested at a higher level. A statement by Leeds United on Thursday afternoon read: "The Minstermen’s LNER Community Stadium has already proven to be a happy hunting ground for the 20-year-o

It is survival of the fittest behind closed doors. By Beren Cross A starting pistol on Leeds United’s search for a free agent was fired by Daniel Farke yesterday, setting in motion what everyone needs: a third deadline day of the year. October 30 has already been circled on calendars across the Whites piece, with an inevitable slew of daily speculation about which of Farke’s ‘special guests’ will seal the deal. The way the German framed the search made it sound like a game show. For some reason, a Thorp Arch-based version of Takeshi’s Castle or Squid Game comes to mind. With a glint in his eye, Farke reassured supporters, work is being done behind the scenes to earn this supposed contract. “We won't bring a player in at the end of November,” he said. “If you make a decision right now, pretty quickly, I spoke about the profile, that is important, but also perhaps behind closed doors potential candidates are already working a little bit on their fitness level and being back f

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

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

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

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

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

By Kyle Newbould Leeds United have been looking at free agent after losing Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev to injury. Carlton Palmer has warned against Leeds United signing a short-term option like Cheikhou Kouyaté as Daniel Farke attempts to solve his midfield injury crisis. Leeds have been forced to weigh up the possibility of signing a free agent after losing both Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev to long-term knee injuries earlier this month. Ampadu avoided surgery and is expected back in the New Year but Gruev could be out until March, having gone under the knife for a ‘significant’ meniscus issue. Among the small group of players being ‘considered’ by Leeds is Kouyaté, who was released by Nottingham Forest in June after playing just over 200 Premier League minutes last season. The 34-year-old boasts more top-flight experience than most but has not enjoyed regular football for over a year, and Palmer doesn’t believe he can provide the solution. "He's still without a club,

Dan Carter Cheikou Kouyate will put pen to paper on a contract with Leeds United this weekend, according to Graeme Bailey. The journalist reported via TBR Football on Friday (11 October) that the midfielder has agreed on a deal with the Whites and will become the latest addition to Daniel Farke’s side as a free agent in the coming days. Kouyate is understood to have undergone a medical on Friday, with his deal at Elland Road expected to run until the end of the season, with an option to extend it further. Farke is understood to be keen to add to his ranks in the middle of the park after both Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev were ruled out until the new year with injuries before the international break. While Leeds United won’t have wanted to sign a free-agent for the sake of it at this stage of the season, in Kouyate they have managed to find a midfielder with bags of experience and plenty of ability. Although both Joe Rothwell and Ao Tanaka are capable of doing jobs in the midd

By Graham Smyth Leeds United are close to the Championship's Profitability and Sustainability limit but do not expect to be put under any embargoes, according to CEO Angus Kinnear. Club chairman Paraag Marathe has said previously that he wants Leeds to be right up against it in terms of P&S because it is an indicator of how competitive the club are trying to be within the rules. Speaking after last season's play-off final defeat by Southampton he insisted the Whites would do whatever they needed to do to remain compliant with P&S but appeared to welcome that particular issue. "Honestly, my hope is that we're always going to be dealing with some P&S complications because we're always going to be fielding a team as legally competitive as we can," he said. "Whether we're in the Championship or the Premier League, we're going to be going full tilt to make us as competitive as we can be so wherever we are, it's going to be complic

By Graham Smyth Leeds United chairman Paraag Marathe will face questions over the club's Red Bull partnership and Elland Road development next week in a pair of meetings with supporters. Marathe, who heads up the 49ers Enterprises ownership group, will be in the country ahead of Leeds' Friday night fixture with Sheffield United at Elland Road. Twenty-four hours prior to that he will sit down with the Supporters Advisory Board [SAB] and the Leeds United Supporters Trust in what the club say will be off-the-record meetings to help him better understand the present feeling among fans and provide some transparency for the two groups. A spokesperson for the Trust told the YEP that they welcome the chance to get a direct insight into the running of the club and members plan to ask Marathe about the boardroom partnership with Red Bull and plans to expand Elland Road. "We represent our members with regular dialogue with the club, but it’s always really useful if fans have

Kris Smith Leeds United CEO Angus Kinnear has been at the forefront of plans for the club to expand Elland Road’s capacity in the near future, now revealing the estimated cost. The Whites are pushing to be a Premier League team once more next season, battling for promotion in the Championship for the second straight campaign. While the 49ers won’t be able to put any major ambitious plans into action until Leeds are back in the top flight, work is going on behind the scenes to ensure that can go through as soon as possible. It was revealed last month that Leeds were pressing on with plans to redevelop Elland Road and dramatically increase the stadium’s capacity. Standing at a 37,645-seat capacity, the intention from the 49ers is to expand the stadium up towards 53,000. This comes alongside a huge waiting list that built up after Marcelo Bielsa took the club to the Premier League previously, and the club anticipate demand remaining high if they return soon. Speaking in the

Kris Smith Leeds United striker Mateo Joseph bagged a first-half hattrick for Spain u21 on Thursday as they overcame Kazakhstan. The Whites have a striker selection dilemma on their hands at the moment with Joel Piroe coming into the lineup and notching his fourth goal of the season against Sunderland last time out. It comes after Mateo Joseph was initially given the nod in the starting lineup for the first eight games, scoring one and assisting three. A home clash for Spain u21 awaited them on Thursday, taking on Kazakhstan and looking to continue their strong form heading into next summer’s U21 European Championships. Joseph got the nod up front, perhaps look ahead to the summer with Porto star Samu Omorodion set to miss that tournament with Club World Cup action. The Leeds man took full advantage of his starting selection, scoring a hattrick inside the first half with goals in the 15th, 23rd, and 44th minute. All of Joseph’s goals came inside the six-yard box, demonstr

By Kyle Newbould The much-loved Leeds United manager was sacked in 2022. Patrick Bamford admits there was ‘a bit of a divide’ inside the Leeds United dressing room around the time of Marcelo Bielsa’s exit in February 2022. Leeds sacked Bielsa after a run of four straight defeats left them 16th in the Premier League table, with heavy losses leading to boos inside Elland Road. The Argentinian was attempting to manage a squad ravaged by injuries, with the previous season’s top-scorer Bamford among several long-term absentees. Bielsa earned legendary status after guiding Leeds to promotion in 2020 before securing a ninth-placed finish in their first top-flight campaign, but questions were asked as to whether his physical demands took a toll on the squad. And Bamford has reflected on what he described as a ‘gutting’ period. “It was tough and, to be honest, I took it badly because when Marcelo got sacked I was injured from October until he left the club,” Bamford told The 72+ EFL p

By Kyle Newbould Leeds United got their business done late after losing more than £120m worth of talent. Patrick Bamford felt the uncertainty surrounding Leeds United going into another summer of change but believes key exits have been replaced well enough to challenge for promotion again. May’s play-off final defeat against Southampton consigned Leeds to another year of Championship football and left them vulnerable throughout the summer, with release clauses triggered for Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter while Archie Gray departed for Tottenham Hotspur. The loss of last season’s three most exciting players was a major blow and fuelled concern regarding another chaotic transfer window going into a crucial campaign. A month-long spell of silence after the arrival of Jayden Bogle did little to allay those concerns but Leeds moved to sign four first-team players in the window’s final week. And while they might have left it a little late in the eyes of some, recruitment

By Graham Smyth Ex-Leeds United star Raphinha has weighed in on criticism of Marcelo Bielsa’s management with details of his relationship with the Argentine during their Elland Road days. Bielsa has won 10 and drawn seven of his 20 games in charge of Uruguay since his May 2023 appointment. They sit third in the World Cup qualifying table, five points clear of Brazil and just three behind leaders Argentina. The former Leeds head coach steered La Celeste to the semi-final of the Copa America after knocking out Brazil. But Luis Suarez has hit out at Bielsa's man management, sparking a debate that has drawn in current national team players to either agree with the Uruguay legend, who recently retired from international football, or to suggest the situation is better dealt with behind closed doors. Suarez spoke out about Bielsa’s approach to the Copa America, particularly his treatment of winger Agustín Canobbio, who played just one minute of the tournament despite providing 15

By Graham Smyth Barcelona may still owe money over the £50m transfer of Raphinha but they are no longer in debt to Leeds United, despite reports in Spain. SPORT have suggested that the Catalan club remain in debt to Leeds to the tune of €559,000 in the short term and almost €42m in the long-term. Raphinha made the long-anticipated move to the LaLiga giants in July 2022, signing a five-year deal and securing Leeds a sum of £50m with potential add-ons amounting to a further £5m. The Brazilian international winger has shone this season in Spain with five goals and five assists in just nine league outings. He has worn the captain's armband three times, including in a Champions League win over BSC Young Boys. Raphinha celebrated by scoring one and setting up another in the 5-0 rout. But while his stock has arguably never been higher, Leeds are not due a windfall from the 27-year-old. Club sources have told the YEP that Barcelona do not owe them an outstanding debt for Raphinha.