Mighty Leeds Weblog

Daniel James insists he has no regrets over his exit from Leeds United on deadline day as he aims to make an impact for Wales at the Qatar World Cup this month. By Ben McKenna The winger joined Fulham on loan on September 1 having made 40 appearances for Leeds in all competitions, scoring four goals, following his move from Manchester United in the summer of 2021. James has played eight times for the Cottagers since his switch to West London and scored his first goal for the club in the 2-1 loss to Man United in the final Premier League match until December 26. Ahead of moving to Fulham, James admitted he had concerns over his game-time at Elland Road and was keen to make sure he would be involved with Wales in Qatar. He said it was “tough” leaving Leeds but feels he made the correct decision in joining Fulham. "It's one of the pinnacles of my career," James told Wales Online about his involvement with his country in Qatar. "I wanted to play games and be fi...

Jesse Marsch has seemingly performed a u-turn on Daniel James’ transfer deadline day exit from Leeds United. By Graham Smyth Speaking on Saturday after the 5-2 defeat at Brentford Marsch appeared to suggest that James’ season-long loan move to Fulham was a necessary one in order to allow the club to bring in 18-year-old Willy Gnonto from Zurich. “It was clear that if we needed to add something that we needed to move something,” he said. "I hate speaking about it that way because I love Dan James, he's an incredible person and he gives everything to the group always. But when we were trying to think about how to get the balance right in the team, he was garnering the most interest and it was the only way we could create flexibility to try and go out and add a striker in a position we felt we needed.” But Marsch has now moved to clarify the situation as a ‘football decision’ and one taken in the interests of the player and his World Cup hopes, rather than a financial o...

Leeds United’s transfer deadline day drama saw Daniel James depart on loan almost a year to the day since he signed for the club By Joe Donnohue Transfer deadline day is rarely a quiet affair at Elland Road, especially in recent seasons. Once again, Daniel James found himself embroiled in the day’s drama and confusion as he was made to wait until after the deadline to see his loan switch to Fulham confirmed. The Welsh international ,who had been denied a Leeds move in January 2019, looked to be on the verge of having his Elland Road exit prevented, just 366 days after sealing a deadline day transfer to Leeds from Manchester United. In the end, Leeds managed to secure the addition of Willy Gnonto from FC Zurich, meaning James’ exit was given the green light but for the 24-year-old it must have felt like deja vu as clock ticked down on Thursday night. The situation arose after Leeds had been spurned in their pursuit of Cody Gakpo and Bamba Dieng – the latter rejecting United ...

All was not well with Leeds United come 5pm on Saturday evening. By Graham Smyth A dramatic transfer deadline week briefly threatened to deliver a huge star in the form of Cody Gakpo and then a promising-sounding striker in Bamba Dieng, before merely bringing forward the signing of 18-year-old prospect Willy Gnonto. Everyone at Leeds was pleased to get Gnonto confirmed, although as Jesse Marsch packed him back off to Zurich to collect his things instead of making him part of the weekend plans for Brentford, it was clear that the Italy international is not yet ready to make an Premier League impact. The departure of Daniel James, on loan, was easy to understand from the player's point of view given the threat to his game time, although Jesse Marsch would later intimate that the winger rather wanted to stick around, and less so from a club point of view. It may be the case that end product has proved a struggle for James and there are those in the squad now well ahead of hi...

UNFULFILLED Written by: Moxcowhite • Daniel Chapman We should start with Luis Sinisterra’s goal, a treat. Just before half-time, Leeds were fuming, down 2-0 to an incoherent penalty and a harshly given, sublimely taken free-kick. They looked shocked, their only option to take their anger into the changing rooms and start again. For the third time in his three starts, Sinisterra did something to change the run of the game on his team’s behalf, and this was the best yet. Against Barnsley, when Leeds’ second-string side were struggling to give him the ball and themselves a lead, he took both with a placed shot from 25 yards out. Against Everton, when Leeds were desperate to capitalise on dominance and equalise, he hit another long range shot, worth a point. He didn’t alter the result at Brentford, but that wasn’t his fault, and he did alter the mood in a way United should have made more of. Brentford missed a Leeds throw-in and the ball went free. It looked like Rico Henry would c...

Jesse Marsch has lamented the loss of Daniel James to a season-long loan at Fulham but says it was necessary in order to bring in youngster Willy Gnonto. By Graham Smyth Marsch made the revelation after a 5-2 loss at Brentford, the first game since a wild transfer deadline day at Elland Road. The Whites looked set to buy Cody Gakpo from PSV and had a deal in place before a change of heart from the Dutch side and their star winger. Victor Orta then lined up Marseille forward Bamba Dieng and the 22-year-old Senegalese international was due to get on a private jet to fly to Leeds when he too changed course, opting instead to move to Nice. In the end he stayed put however, due to a failed medical. The deadline actually passed without news of any movement in or out at Leeds, but they did later confirm the departure of James to Craven Cottage and the arrival of 18-year-old Italy international Gnonto, from Zurich. Marsch says the reason James left was so that Leeds could find ‘flexi...

James joined Fulham from Leeds on a season-long loan on transfer deadline day. Daniel James has described Fulham as a 'great fit' for his career after completing a loan switch from Leeds United on transfer deadline day. The 24-year-old is understood to have made the move in an effort to increase his playing time ahead of this winter's World Cup in Qatar. The Wales international scored four goals in 35 appearances in 2021/22 following his £25million transfer from rivals Manchester United last summer. But after just one year since his arrival in West Yorkshire, James is set to feature for his third club in the Premier League, albeit temporarily. "I'm looking forward to it," James told FFCtv following his arrival. "I've spoken to the gaffer and it feels like a great fit for me, and I can't waited to get started." Fulham have enjoyed a strong start to the 2022/23 season after achieving promotion via the Championship title last term. T...

Deadline day at Leeds United is rarely boring but the summer 2022 version will take some beating, as YEP chief reporter Graham Smyth gives his verdict. By Graham Smyth Transfer deadline day is all fun and games until the music stops and you're the one left without a chair. Leeds United have played this game before, so a familiar feeling must have settled in stomachs like concrete as things started to go awry with their move for Marseille's Bamba Dieng. It was already late in the day, so to speak, when Leeds switched their full attention to the 22-year-old and agreed not only a £9m fee with his club, but personal terms. Dieng was the club's fifth crack at landing an attacker this summer after pursuits of Eddie Nketiah, Charles De Ketelaere, Hwang Hee-chan and Cody Gakpo, who appeared to be Elland Road bound on Wednesday night until PSV changed their minds, and his. The prospect of bringing either De Ketelaere or Gakpo had raised expectation levels, given how high...

LEEDS UNITED head coach Jesse Marsch has confirmed that Hwang Hee-Chan has been on the club's radar for some time - with fresh speculation linking the Wolves striker with a move to Elland Road. By Leon Wobschall The South Korean forward is reportedly available for around £15m with Marsch confirming that Leeds are admirers of the 26-year-old, who previously worked with Marsch at Red Bull Salzburg and RB Leipzig. Tuesday's opponents Everton, who pegged Leeds back in a 1-1 draw at Elland Road - with full league debutant Luis Sinisterra's 55th-minute strike cancelling out Anthony Gordon's 17th-minute opener - have also been linked with Hee-Chan. "I like our team. Good players make good coaches and the more good players you can find, you can really enjoy the team. "But we have done a really good job already and I really like our group. "Everyone is working diligently together to try and put the club in a position to succeed like we already have. Th...

Jesse Marsch does not anticipate any exits from his first-team group between now and the end of the transfer window on Thursday evening By Joe Donnohue Jesse Marsch was non-committal on Daniel James’ Leeds United future during his post-match press conference following the Whites’ 1-1 draw with Everton. The American was posed with the question after links to Tottenham Hotspur arose last week, suggesting the London club were keen to add the wide player. "I like Dan,” Marsch began. "I think he's been a big part of what we've done here, before I came and since I've been here. I don't anticipate big movements in the group, but we have to just see what happens in the next 24 hours," he told journalists. Marsch has seen his squad supplemented by Luis Sinisterra this summer, while Crysencio Summerville was handed the No. 10 jersey upon signing a new long-term contract with the club. Factoring in the form of summer signing Brenden Aaronson and Jack H...

Kyle Walker-Peters struck a late equaliser as Southampton came back from two goals behind to secure their first point of the season in a hard-fought 2-2 draw against Leeds United. Rodrigo had struck twice at the start of the second half to put the visitors in a dominant position but Jesse Marsch’s side were unable to hold out for a second successive Premier League win. Instead it was Southampton – who bounced back from their 4-1 defeat to Tottenham on the opening day – who fought their way back into the match. Joe Aribo tapped home to halve the deficit in the 72nd minute before Walker-Peters curled in the equaliser in the 81st minute. Neither side had any significant chances in the opening exchanges, with Leeds coming closest when Patrick Bamford had a shot blocked in the 13th minute. Despite Leeds’ bright opening, there was a moment of concern when VAR checked a possible red card for a last-ditch challenge by Diego Llorente on Stuart Armstrong. Southampton almost had a for...

Leeds United Under-21s put on a five star display at Derby County’s Pride Park on Friday evening defeating the hosts 5-2 By Joe Donnohue Leeds’ Under-21s kickstarted their 2022/23 campaign with a resounding victory over Derby County on the eve of the first-team’s Premier League opener. Spanish forward Mateo Joseph scored four times as the Whites raced into a three-goal lead during the first 28 minutes. Daniel James featured from the start in a bid to retain match sharpness due to the fact he will miss the senior squad’s opening fixture against Wolverhampton Wanderers through suspension. The Welshman picked up an assist for the Whites’ go-ahead goal, sliding through Joseph after escaping pressure in the middle, which the 18-year-old dispatched of confidently. Shortly after, Jeremiah Mullen’s effort was parried by Derby goalkeeper Harry Evans which saw the ball pop up kindly for Joseph to nod in his second of the game from close range. Before long, the No. 9 was on the scor...

Leeds United head coach Jesse Marsch, Patrick Bamford and Daniel James joined Premier of Western Australia Mark McGowan to launch Perth's Festival of International Football this morning in Fremantle. By Graham Smyth Marsch addressed the Australian media to express Leeds' gratitude for the welcome they have received during their tour Down Under, from their own fans and locals. A group of around 60 Whites gathered at Perth's domestic airport to greet the Leeds squad when they flew in from Brisbane on Tuesday night. Leeds are in Perth to take on Crystal Palace at Optus Stadium on Friday night, with Manchester United taking on Aston Villa at the same venue on Saturday night. Speaking at Gage Roads Brewing Company, which will become a hub for Leeds fans in Perth this week, McGowan indicated the importance of the Whites' presence in Western Australia, as the state tells the world it is 'open for business' again following the Covid-19 pandemic. "Welcom...

Jesse Marsch’s version of Leeds United is beginning to take shape on and off the pitch By Graham Smyth This is the Leeds United job Jesse Marsch wanted. A process man, he was parachuted into last season’s relegation scrap and instead of building something was forced to fight fires with results king and performances a secondary concern. “If you look at the end of last year, we were introducing tactical themes, but it was so much about just managing the game to get as many points as we can,” he said before the 2-1 Queensland Champions Cup win over Brisbane Roar. “And really I hate that. Right? I’m much more about a process and developing a team the right way and less about trying to win right in the moment. “But relegation demands that you do that. So I’m proud of our team for the way that they performed. I’m proud of the team for the way they stuck together. And now we need to play better football and maintain that mentality and belief and commitment from the group and we wi...

MINUTES Written by: Moxcowhite • Daniel Chapman Pre-seasons are rarely perfect but Brenden Aaronson’s nearly, nearly was. Before seventeen seconds had been played against Brisbane Roar, Leeds United scored the pinnacle of Jesse Marsch goals: after winning a loose ball high, attackers sped towards the net, Joe Gelhardt swivelled and played a clever reverse pass, Dan James squared, Aaronson finished in the six yard box. He’s got money, looks, ability and charm. He’s polite — his “Nice meeting you, man” to Diego Llorente stands out among the summer’s pre-season training videos. But before you start to wonder if you should hard dislike this golden child, his wonder start to what we hope will be a wonder season was chalked off: offside. That might be why Joffy angled his pass the other way — Brenden, bursting through the middle, had been ahead of the play. He scored on his MLS debut for Philadelphia Union; he scored on his debut in a friendly for the Salzburg franchise. It’s almost reas...

Leeds United began their pre-season tour of Australia with a 2-1 victory against Thursday's opponents Brisbane Roar as five Whites players made their debuts. By Lee Sobot Summer signings Brenden Aaronson and Rasmus Kristensen both started whilst fellow new arrivals Luis Sinisterra, Darko Gyabi and Tyler Adams all came on from the bench. Sinisterra was brought on after half an hour for Dan James who had already bagged a goal and an assist to put Jesse Marsch's side 2-0 up inside 24 minutes. James, playing on the right wing, rifled home a fierce effort just inside the right hand post from the edge of the area after 22 minutes following a through ball from Adam Forshaw. Two minutes later, the Wales international dinked in a cross for 20-year-old striker Joe Gelhardt who produced a terrific leap and bullet header finish at the far post. Jack Harrison, who was playing at left back, then saw an effort cleared off the line but Roar pulled a goal back just before the interv...

LEEDS United were already two and a half weeks into their new season when Dan James joined the club last summer. By Lee Sobot One year on, the Whites have landed six new recruits a full month before their first game. Speaking from experience, that, says James, can only be a positive for a side determined to kick on after last season’s troubles at the foot of the division. James is just over one week into his first pre-season at Leeds having been among the club’s internationals to return last Monday. It meant that James played no part in Thursday’s first pre-season friendly in front of fans against Blackpool but the Wales international is part of the Whites squad to have touched down in Australia for games against Brisbane Roar, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace. Summer signings Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen, Marc Roca, Tyler Adams, Darko Gyabi and Luis Sinisterra were also on the plane – and James says the recent arrivals and Leeds as a whole will definitely benefit from...

Leeds United had no discernible plan, no quality and no composure against Chelsea, which gave them no real chance, but they still have hope. By Graham Smyth This game, like Manchester City and Arsenal before it, was always likely to end in defeat and its 3-0 scoreline would have come as no surprise regardless of what had occurred during the 90 minutes. It's the final two against Brighton and Brentford that hold Leeds' best chances of survival, so while a positive result against Chelsea would have been a huge fillip, the real task was to come out of this one unscathed in order to attack the final week of the season with everything they've got. Instead, Daniel James took the side's second needless red card in as many games, a departure from his senses sending him flying into Mateo Kovačić and out of the remaining games. Neither Raphinha nor Jack Harrison were able to finish the fixture and could well join Adam Forshaw, Patrick Bamford, Stuart Dallas, Tyler Rober...