Mighty Leeds Weblog

By Graham Smyth Leeds United go into the international break with four points thanks to a gutsy display in a draw with Newcastle United but what happens in the next two days will set the tone for months to come. Daniel Farke and his players did their bit to send Leeds United into the international break in a better mood. Now it's over to the recruitment department to improve more than just the mood. Leeds fans exasperated At Arsenal the team and their manager were humbled and at Hillsborough they were humiliated. A top-class side and a youth team combined to take the wind out of Leeds' sails entirely following that excellent 1-0 win over Everton. Failing to drag an almost-done deal for Facundo Buonanotte over the line tanked any lingering positivity. Being led down the garden path by a Brazilian winger destined for the top is one thing, but a 20-year-old loanee? Regardless of the price tag Brighton would attach to Buonanotte, his about-turn was just about all exasperate...

By Graham Smyth Leeds United boss Daniel Farke made a survival admission on the back of Saturday’s goalless draw against Newcastle United. Daniel Farke says it will be 'difficult' for Leeds United in the Premier League if they don't strengthen their attack before Monday night's transfer deadline. The Whites have four points from a more-than-tricky opening trio of top flight games, having beaten Everton, lost at Arsenal and held Newcastle United to a 0-0 draw. But in each of the games it has been obvious where the need is when it comes to further recruitment. Leeds have scored just once in the three fixtures and that came from the penalty spot. Against the Magpies they got into dangerous situations and managed to create a number of chances but other than Dominic Calvert-Lewin's late strike Nick Pope had no saves to make. Farke reiterated after the game that he's hoping Leeds can give themselves a chance to be competitive across the entire season by bo...

Nick Pope denied Dominic Calvert-Lewin a late winner on the forward’s league debut for Leeds. Mark Walker Leeds and Newcastle shared the points in a Premier League stalemate at Elland Road that failed to catch fire. Newcastle’s Jacob Murphy went closest to breaking the deadlock with a thumping second-half effort that was well saved by Leeds goalkeeper Lucas Perri. But Leeds were worthy of a fourth point from their first three league matches and substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin could have snatched it for the home side when denied by Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope in the closing stages. It was a positive response from Daniel Farke’s side following last Sunday’s 5-0 defeat at Arsenal and their disappointing midweek Carabao Cup exit at Sheffield Wednesday. Newcastle, who also drew 0-0 at Aston Villa on the opening day, are left waiting for their first win of the season after Monday’s 3-2 home defeat to Liverpool. Leeds were without injured pair Ethan Ampadu and fellow midfiel...

By Tom Coates Leeds United were left to rue a lack of cutting edge as they drew 0-0 with Newcastle United. After humbling defeats to Arsenal and Sheffield Wednesday, many Leeds fans would have perhaps accepted a goalless stalemate with glee prior to kick-off. However, the spirited nature of Leeds’ performance against the Magpies made their sloppiness in the final third - and consequent inability to win - difficult to digest. Any fears of Leeds emerging with their tails tucked between their legs were extinguished early on, as the hosts assumed early control. Daniel Farke’s side retained possession with composure, even if moving through the lines did not prove particularly easy. Chances were at a premium early on, with an Anton Stach free-kick whistling past the post the closest Leeds came inside the opening 15 minutes. Newcastle were mostly working without the ball but did give Leeds an early scare. Tino Livramento slipped in behind Joe Rodon, but his fizzed cross eluded t...

By Lee Sobot Leeds United took on Newcastle United at Elland Road in their third game of the new Premier League campaign. A tough Leeds United side bagged their fourth point of the new Premier League season as Saturday evening’s hosting of Newcastle United ended in a goalless draw featuring an injury blow and new signing debut. Newcastle made a bright start as the dangerous Tino Livramento got in behind Joe Rodon down the left flank but his cross flew through the area and evaded striker William Osula as Leeds survived. Leeds, though, then began to push the Magpies back, Anton Stach seeing a shot from the edge of the area blocked before later sending a free-kick well wide. Two excellent tackles from ex-Newcastle man Sean Longstaff kept the Whites on the front foot but the Magpies squandered arguably the best chance of the half in the 16th minute as Jacob Ramsey's cross pickled out Osula whose shot was blocked by Gabriel Gudmundsson near the line. Another dangerous Newcas...

The midfielder could be set to make his full Premier League debut for Leeds United this afternoon Sean Longstaff admits leaving Newcastle United was a “tough decision” but that Leeds United stood out as an opportunity he could not turn down. The midfielder faces his boyhood club this afternoon just weeks after leaving on a £12million deal. Longstaff would be starting his first Premier League game for Leeds should he be selected to feature in the starting XI, with Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka injured. The Leeds recruitment team were happy to land the 27-year-old after seeing three bids turned down. The player always showed a keenness for moving to Elland Road, as he explained in an interview in Saturday’s matchday programme. “It was a really tough decision,” he said regarding his decision to leave St James’ Park. “I think I wasn't just going to leave Newcastle to go anywhere. “I felt like it had to be right for me and my family. We sat down and looked at the options and ulti...

By Lee Sobot Premier League big guns are now working on a deal to sign a Leeds United transfer target. Leeds United have been dealt another transfer blow as Premier League giants work on a deal to sign a Whites transfer target. Leeds are keen to add a right winger who can also play in the no 10 role before Monday’s transfer deadline and the Whites thought they were close to signing 20-year-old Argentina international attacker Facundo Buonanotte from Brighton on a season-long loan. Buonanotte was due to fly to Leeds on Thursday but the flight was cancelled due to timings and logistical reasons. It was then thought that Buonanotte could fly in today to complete a loan move. The winger, though, is now the subject of interest from Chelsea who transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano is reporting are working on a deal to sign him. Romano adds that Buonanotte is also on the list of several other clubs in the UK plus German heavyweights Borussia Dortmund and others.

By Tom Coates Leeds United are reportedly close to striking a deal to sign Facundo Buonanotte on loan from Brighton & Hove Albion. The 20-year-old spent last season on loan at Leicester City, but was unable to prevent the Foxes from sliding into the Championship. Although the campaign ended in relegation, Buonanotte showed promise and remains a highly-rated prospect at his parent club. On several occasions over the course of the summer, it has been suggested a loan move is on the cards for the Argentina-capped playmaker. It was indicated a move across Europe was more likely than a switch to Leeds, but a spell in Yorkshire now appears probable. Leeds United near playmaker deal According to the Yorkshire Evening Post’s Graham Smyth, Buonanotte could complete a loan move to Elland Road. Posting on social media platform X, he said: “Leeds United close to a deal for Facundo Buonanotte. “Initial plan was to travel today but timing/logistics didn't work and the fligh...

By Graham Smyth Leeds United have confirmed a triple exit with two loan departures and a mutual agreement to terminate a contract. Hot on the heels of Isaac Schmidt and Largie Ramazani's season-long loan moves to Werder Bremen and Valencia respectively, Leeds have confirmed the end of Patrick Bamford's time at Elland Road. A storied seven year stint included two promotions to the Premier League and a 17-goal top flight campaign that led to an England cap. Bamford, who struggled for game time last season, was informed earlier this summer that he was no longer in Daniel Farke's plans and would not be training with the senior squad. Farke elected not to take the striker to Sweden for the first pre-season game and told the media that a player of Bamford's calibre and experience should be a 'main man' somewhere else. Since then Bamford has had some involvement with the Under 21s but in order to further his career came to a financial agreement with Leeds to part...

By Graham Smyth Patrick Bamford says the way his situation at Leeds United has been handled recently makes it ‘too raw’ for him to reflect on, after agreeing to terminate his contract at Elland Road. Leeds confirmed on Thursday evening that Bamford’s time at the club had come to an end by mutual agreement, a year prior to the end of his current contract. In a statement the club paid tribute to his contribution to a pair of Championship titles and his work off the pitch with the fans and local community. Bamford’s struggle for gametime last season left him frustrated but he played a full part in the celebrations of his second promotion to the top flight as a Leeds player. This summer however he was informed by manager Daniel Farke that he was no longer in the first team plans and he was made to train with the Under 21s instead of the seniors. Farke’s position was that Bamford’s ability and experience meant he should be a main man but that was not possible at Leeds so a parting of ...

By Joe Donnohue Leeds United are a club acutely aware of 'optics', in particular transfer optics Leeds United are aware their hopes of Premier League survival this season could live and die by the success of their summer transfer dealings. That is why as we enter the final days of the window, following an embarrassing cup exit, a 5-0 'welcome back' shellacking by Arsenal and the subsequent supporter uproar, it is the club who know better than anyone they still have work to do. These days, the back offices of Elland Road brim with corporate expertise and Silicon Valley success stories. The club lifted itself from the Championship back to the Premier League in the spring, led by Daniel Farke and backed by chairman Paraag Marathe. Marathe spoke ahead of Leeds' season opener against Everton, which isn't a regular occurrence but was reflective of the magnitude of the match. Last time Leeds were promoted, the television set was the closest most fans got to a...

What a hoot Words by: Chris McMenamy Sean Longstaff stepped up to take Leeds United’s third penalty and the Sky Sports cameras panned to the away end at Hillsborough. It was emptying. They’d seen enough. Longstaff faced the difficult and perhaps futile task of keeping Leeds in the shootout after two teammates had fluffed their lines, while Sheffield Wednesday had scored all three spot kicks. Longstaff, like Joel Piroe before him, hit a weak penalty at a perfect height for Ethan Horvath to save. Game over. Another cup campaign over before it could get going. Little is decided about the fate of a team — or its manager — in the second round of the League Cup, but it’s hard to avoid the nagging doubt brought on by watching a rotated Leeds side fail to beat a Wednesday team with an average age of 21. Daniel Farke made nine changes to the eleven that capitulated in the 5-0 loss to Arsenal on Saturday and gave full debuts to Jaka Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Sean Longstaff, Lukas Nmecha...

Leeds United fans were less than pleased with what they saw, despite a nice gesture from some players pre-match Leeds United will be thankful they can make amends for a woeful showing against Sheffield Wednesday in a few days' time. Supporters will be less confident about their chances against Newcastle United given the last two results. Time is ticking and Leeds are clearly lacking a cutting edge in the final third despite £100million being spent. A good following turned up at Hillsborough and Daniel Farke said he was sorry that they saw their side lose, admitting there is an element of embarrassment. Some Leeds fans would travel home with confidence perhaps dented. Here are few moments onlookers may have missed. Formation frustration What makes the defeat even worse is how Leeds lined up when in possession - which was extremely attacking. It was essentially a 3-2-5, with only the two centre-backs and either Sean Longstaff or Ilia Gruev dropping back. The other seven pla...

By Stuart Rayner DANIEL FARKE is hoping to have a stable of wingers who can offer him different qualities when the transfer window closes on Monday at 7pm. Leeds United have spent more than £100m in this transfer window but their manager hopes he is not done yet, still looking for firepower wide and/or at centre-forward. Players may have to move on to allow that, with Valencia said to be exploring a season-long loan for Largie Ramazani, and Werder Bremen interested in buying Isaac Schmidt, where previously a loan was floated. As well as Ramazani, Leeds have Noah Okafor, Daniel James, Willy Gnonto, Jack Harrison and Brenden Aaronson as wide options. James and Gnonto have started Leeds’ two Premier League games, and Okafor and Aaronson kicked off at Sheffield Wednesday in the League Cup on Tuesday. Although Farke sees versatility as crucial, he wants a group that give him different tactical options tailored to each game. "It's important for all the wingers to be fl...

Dominic Calvert-Lewin endures nightmare Leeds debut as Daniel Farke's side suffer major injury blow in shock Carabao Cup defeat By GETHIN HICKS Dominic Calvert-Lewin endured a nightmare Leeds United debut as his side bombed out of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. Daniel Farke's men made the short journey south to face Sheffield Wednesday in what was a largely cagey affair at Hillsborough. After a goalless first half, new recruit Calvert-Lewin, who joined on a free transfer only last week, was introduced shortly before the hour mark to try and break the deadlock. Just minutes later however his side found themselves a goal down to the Championship outfit when a driven Jamal Lowe effort was fumbled into his own net by Karl Darlow. The Whites nevertheless managed to fashion an equaliser through substitute Jayden Bogle on the 80-minute mark and, with momentum on their side, looked as though they were going to find a winner. And they must've thought they'd done just ...

Wednesday captain Barry Bannan, Ike Ugbo and Liam Palmer all hit the target in the shoot-out. Mark Walker Sheffield Wednesday knocked Yorkshire rivals Leeds out of the Carabao Cup after winning 3-0 on penalties following a 1-1 draw at a virtually empty Hillsborough. Wednesday captain Barry Bannan, Ike Ugbo and Liam Palmer all hit the target in the shoot-out, while saved efforts from Leeds pair Joel Piroe and Sean Longstaff sandwiched Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s miss. After Leeds substitute Jayden Bogle had fired a late equaliser to cancel out visiting goalkeeper Karl Darlow’s own goal, a Wednesday side made up mainly of academy players caused a stunning second-round upset. Wednesday fans answered the call of the club’s Supporters Trust to boycott the tie in protest against owner Dejphon Chansiri and only a half-full South Stand was in use at Hillsborough apart from the away end Owls fans have stepped up their demands for Chansiri to sell the cash-strapped club after various emb...

Robert McHugh Dominic Calvert-Lewin endured a Leeds United debut to forget as he missed a golden chance to win the tie against Sheffield Wednesday, before missing his spot kick in a shootout defeat. Leeds looked like they could go out in normal time, when an inexplicable error from Karl Darlow handed the home side the lead just after an hour. Daniel Farke turned to the big guns on his bench and got a near instantaneous response, as Jayden Bogle fired home, giving the Whites a lifeline. However, Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed a succession of chances on debut to win the tie for Leeds before he capped a brutal night by blazing his penalty over the bar. Calvert-Lewin was not alone, as Joel Piroe and Sean Longstaff saw their penalties saved to end a miserable night for Farke’s side. As the Leeds boss faces the daunting prospect of lifting his side for their upcoming game against Newcastle, here are five lessons learned from a demoralising cup defeat. Dominic Calvert-Lewin endure...

By Stuart Rayner Sheffield Wednesday's players once more defied logic in the League Cup. The Owls are on their knees, many of their supporters feeling forced into not going to Hillsborough in a desperate attempt to force chairman/owner Dejphon Chansiri to sell the club. Of the 7,801 fans at the game, 3,700 were in the away end. They basically sent out the under-21s against Leeds United – and won on penalties for the second time running in this season's competition. Granted, they were fortunate to make it to spot kicks, lucky to take the lead through by captain-for-the-night Jamal Lowe and even luckier not to concede a winner to Dominic Calvert-Lewin. But they were owed a bit of fortune after losing Gabriel Otegbayo to yet another injury they cannot afford, and even more so for some heroic defending. And when it came to spot kicks, Premier League Leeds could not score from 12 yards, with Calvert-Lewin missing and Ethan Horvath saving twice, whereas the Championship s...

By Tom Coates Leeds United fringe player Sam Greenwood is reportedly leaving Elland Road for Polish outfit Pogoń Szczecin. The 23-year-old, an attacking midfielder who can also play up front, arrived at Elland Road from Arsenal in 2020. He was considered a coup for the Whites, having starred for the Gunners and England at youth level. His impressive form continued in Leeds’ youth set-up and he eventually made his way into the senior side. Greenwood amassed 35 appearances for the Whites, scoring his only goal against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League, before being deemed surplus to requirements by Daniel Farke. He was first loaned to Middlesbrough, spending the 2023/24 season at the Riverside, before being sent to Preston North End for the 2024/25 campaign. Greenwood registered seven goals in 45 appearances for the Lilywhites, but did not pen a permanent deal. Although he returned to Leeds for pre-season training, it appeared only a matter of time until he moved on. ...

by Kwadwo Hemeng Clubs now have less than a week to wrap up their transfer business; Leeds United are already working on theirs. The club announced their 10th summer signing on Monday night. Daniel Farke has been asking for reinforcements over the past few weeks, and the club have given him three signings since then. Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Noah Okafor and now James Justin have all arrived. £3.46M deal agreed as Leeds United star makes shock departure Seeing how the game against Arsenal went over the weekend, Daniel Farke now knows the level of quality needed in the Premier League. And it is very possible that the club are not done with their business. Now that James Justin has arrived on a permanent deal, Leeds can give the green light for another deal. Werder Bremen had an agreement in principle to sign Isaac Schmidt on loan last month, but Daniel Farke needed a replacement to sanction the deal. With Justin signed, the Swiss defender can now join the Bundesliga club. But a...

Full-back joins the Whites. Leeds United are delighted to announce the arrival of highly-regarded defender James Justin in a permanent deal from Sky Bet Championship side Leicester City. The 27-year-old has signed a four-year deal with the Whites and becomes summer signing number 10 of a busy window for Daniel Farke’s team. Justin has extensive Premier League experience and is just one game away from hitting 100 appearances in the top-flight, having also played on the European and international stage. Beginning his career with hometown club Luton Town, Justin progressed through the academy into the first team. The 6ft’ full-back showed versatility to play on either side of defence, making him a regular from a young age. During his early footballing years with the Hatters, James played a major role in back-to-back promotions. Firstly as runners-up in Sky Bet League Two, they went on to be crowned champions of the tier above in the following campaign. For his efforts, Justin ...

By Lee Sobot Leeds United face Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough on Tuesday evening in the second round of the Carabao Cup. Whites boss Daniel Farke has revealed the extent of his Leeds United rotation plan for Tuesday evening’s Carabao Cup clash at Sheffield Wednesday with new signings chances. Farke saw his side blitzed 5-0 at Arsenal in Saturday evening’s second game of the Premier League season at The Emirates and his men will now be on Carabao Cup duty just three nights later with a second round clash at Sheffield Wednesday. Farke is not usually a fan of making huge alterations to his side for cup games but the Whites boss says more changes than usual can be expected in light of the clear priority of Premier League survival. Farke’s side will take in the third game of their Premier League campaign and last one before the international break just four days later with the visit of Newcastle United to Elland Road. The Whites boss hopes that by then his men are safely in...

The Premier League side agreed an £8m fee which could rise to £10m Richard Jolly Leeds have agreed an £8m fee with Leicester for full-back James Justin as Daniel Farke is closing in on his 10th summer signing. The deal could rise to £10m, depending on add-ons, and would take the promoted club’s spending in this transfer window past £100m. And Justin’s arrival would enable Farke to strengthen his defence after Leeds conceded five goals in Saturday’s defeat to Arsenal. The England international, who is in the last year of his contract at Leicester, can play both right-back and left-back and would give Leeds options in defence. Farke has already bought one left-back, Gabriel Gudmundsson, this summer along with centre-backs Jaka Bijol and Sebastiaan Bornauw. Goalkeeper Lucas Perri, midfielders Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff and forwards Lukas Nmecha, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Noah Okafor have also joined Leeds. Leicester have started to sell after their relegation to the Ch...

By Stuart Rayner Buoyed by victory five days earlier, the Championship champions, strengthened by around £100m of summer recruits, travelled to an Arsenal side missing Kai Havertz, Gabriel Jesus, Christian Norgaard and Ben White, who had Martin Odegaard and Bukayo Saka go off injured, and Eberechi Eze not signed in time to play. By the end 15-year-old Max Dowman was running them ragged as Gabriel Martinelli watched on unused. Leeds United had only one player injured, albeit a key one in captain Ethan Ampadu. No one batted an eyelid as Arsenal strolled to a 5-0 win. Is this what we really want from our country's top sporting export? There was fury from social media but it is hard to take criticism of Daniel Farke as a managerial "fraud" seriously when those same insults were being bandied about during the rocky – or even just flat – periods of matches last season en route to a 100-point title. The proper gauge of a fanbase is those who follow the team away. The...