 As the new football season looms on the horizon the fans of Leeds United F.C. will be hoping this year will deliver promotion to the Premier League. Although last season’s disappointing finish has been hard for fans to shake off, the chance of redemption that the new campaign brings is sure to get Elland Road roaring again. With head coach Bielsa still in charge, there is every chance that this will be the year that Leeds clinch promotion to the EPL.  Of course, fans of the club will be eager to find out the latest news around transfers over the remaining weeks. That is the same across all sports that are on their summer break. Luckily there are many ways to stay updated with all that is happening in major sports globally – news from online sportsbooks being just one. From Sportsbet.io basketball news to the news stories the same site carries about football, you can easily keep up to date with all that is happening at Elland Road and beyond. From what has happened so far at Leedsover the summer, it seems they have a fair chance of making a push for promotion this coming season. But what factors will have the biggest influence on that? Helder Costa loan signing The Helder Costa loan signing from Wolves could be vital as he will add some serious skill and flair to the wide midfield or attacking areas.  This is especially true when you consider that Leeds have been somewhat quiet in the transfer market apart as yet. Costa is a player that could really make the difference when he pulls on a Leeds shirt. Can Bielsa change? It is obvious that Marco Bielsa is a top coach and someone that will be key to the Whites making it out of the Championship next year. Many fans think he may need to tweak his approach slightly to make that possible. Bielsa’s high energy playing style works superbly for most of the season but can lead to players running on empty towards the end. To avoid another collapse like last year, he may have to look at amending his tactics slightly at times. Hanging onto the best talent As well as who Leeds sign being important, hanging onto their own best players is also vital. If Bielsa can blend the two groups together then it will be a huge boost for the Whites. Kemar Roofe is the most obvious example, however, other players like Kalvin Phillips will be important to retain.  One real blemish here is the sale of defender Pontus Jansson to Brentford – hopefully Bielsa and the club have a replacement lined up!
Let’s make the new season a good one A new season is always welcomed by fans as it brings new optimism and the chance to right any wrongs from the previous one. With Bielsa still in charge and an army of loyal fans to encourage the team, it is entirely possible that this year could end in promotion for them. Much will depend on any additional transfer deals that happen before the season starts and if Bielsa can avoid us running out of gas come May. By Ryan Ingham
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 This summer I’ve been on a low, the dreams of Premiership football had died and tbh I’d tried to put at the back of my mind football in general. Yes the Lionesses did great in reaching the semi final of the women’s World Cup but it wasn’t anything near ‘proper football’. We heard Radz and Kinnear say it was going to be a “difficult summer” when it came to transfers to boost our squad but nobody could have guessed the squad who did so well would start to be taken apart so much and so quick. Jack Clarke seemed to be the player that would be sacrificed to get in funds to get in fresh blood. With Helder Costa coming in from Wolves it seemed that Leeds were at least upping their game in the transfer market, the winger/striker ripped up the Championship when he was integral in the Midlands club getting promoted the season before last. Clarke signed for Spurs but was loaned straight back to Leeds and Jack Harrison has come back for a second loan spell at the club after playing the majority of the games last season. Ben White, a promising centre half joined from Brighton after playing at Peterborough last season. A couple of youngsters were also brought in from Spain.   Leeds continue to make additions during this summer window. However, it’s the development squad that will benefit from the club’s latest acquisitions. The club have taken on much-rumoured signing Rafa Mujica, who joins after the expiry of his Barcelona contract, turning down a move to Spanish side Las Palmas. The 20-year old is set to join Carlos Corberan’s ranks as he fights for a first team berth. Another Catalan youngster will also join the development squad as Guille Amor joins Mark Jackson’s Under 18 team.  Amor, an 18-year old midfielder had been tipped for big things at Los Meringues. However, with the recent ride of Riqui Puog, Carles Alena and Oriol Busquets have forced the player to move on.
The Spaniard joins on a two year deal after taking the option to leave Barca in search of a new challenge. Both players will hope to force through the youth ranks and give Marcel Bielsa additional options as he focuses on a small squad with youth breaking into the first team picture. Are you excited by the signings of both Amor and Mujica? Have your say in the comments below. By Ryan Ingham  Leeds United have confirmed the signing of Wolves magician Helder Costa. The Portuguese winger has joined the club on a 12 month loan, which will turn permanent in July 2020. The club have agreed an undisclosed fee for Costa, which will be in the range of £13-15million. A difference maker not only on the field, the signing of Costa revolutionises Leeds’ squad and attacking options. The 25-year old signs with Leeds after a very successful spell in English football with Wolves, scoring 15 goals and creating 14 assists in 71 Championship games.  Although mainly utilised as an impact sub in Wolves’ Premier League season, his skill and pace was still a threat against higher opposition, giving Manchester United a scare in Wolves FA Cup quarter final win.
Marcelo Bielsa had highlighted the need for wingers as a big part of Leeds’ transfer plans and the signing of Costa not only sures up the right hand side of midfield but allows Pablo Hernandez to return to the middle of the park where he can be more influential. If Leeds were considered a hard team to beat going into the season before this signing, the fright Championship teams felt will now have increased tenfold. Costa will conclude his first season with Leeds by signing a four year deal until 2024, showing the club have faith that the player can be a star for the long haul. Are you excited by the signing of Costa? Have your say in the comments below. By Ryan Ingham  Leeds are no strangers to signing unknown foreign quantities during the summer windows, with some signings paying off. As the club work with limited budgets, the club will heavily focus on the loan market and free agents to bolster their squad. One player who would make a huge difference to the club is former German wonderkid Donis Avdijaj. The versatile midfielder had been linked with moves to both Juventus and Arsenal in January and has allowed his Willem II contract expire in search of a new challenge. At the age of 22, Avdijaj has plenty of time to develop and allow for his massive potential from years back to come to fruition. Avdijaj had been a hotly tipped talent during his youth days at Schalke, scoring an insane 59 goals in 53 games for the German outfits under 19 squad.  During his year at Willem II last season, Avdijaj scoring an impressive 8 goals in 18 appearances, setting up another 6.
Predominantly an attacking midfielder, the Kosovo international can also play on the left side of an attacking three and also as an auxiliary forward. This would make for a fantastic addition for Leeds, who could add a potential star for nothing and have cover in several key positions of need. Could Leeds grab their next star on a free under some noses of Europeans elite? Hopefully Victor Orta and his network of scouts can seize the opportunity. Do you think Avdijaj could be a brilliant signing? Have your say in the comments below. By Ryan Ingham  Even if the rumours of Kalvin Phillips deporting turn out to be incorrect, Leeds could do with some help in the engine room. Phillips was last seasons standout player and outside of the top six clubs in England, there aren’t many better at what he does. However, if Leeds are to strengthen in this summer market, the Whites need to look at key areas of need. One player who would take the clubs midfield to the next level is midfield maestro Johannes Geis.  The German midfielder is a free agent after a stellar season with FC Koln, making 14 appearances, creating five assists. Predominantly a holding midfielder, Geis is known for his defensive mindset, ability to break up play and the ability to chip in with a goal or two, Geis could be the perfect player to add to an already talented engine room. The 25-year old midfielder still has plenty of time to become the hotly tipped midfielder who made over fifty appearances for German youth level. The former Schalke, Mainz and Sevilla midfielder made over 121 appearances, scoring eight and created another seventeen for his club.  Adding a player like Geis would be an incredible signing for Leeds, who would trade the lacklustre performances of Adam Forshaw to a proven German talent.
Could Geis add some much needed talent to Leeds midfield and make a difference to Bielsa’s squad? Have your say in the comments below. By Ryan Ingham  Leeds United have won the race for Wolves forward Helder Costa on a temporary basis. The winger is set to join the club within the next 48 hours and is set to be a big part of how the club play next season. Known for his incredible pace, skill and attacking influence, it’s likely that Costa will take the right side of Leeds attacking trio and become a star in Marcelo Bielsa’s side. Costa is no stranger to the Championship having featured in two seasons for the the ever-impressive Wolves. Joining from Benfica for a fee of £15million after a successful loan at Monaco, Costa featured 35 times in his first season in England and scored 10 goals, creating 8 assists.  In Wolves promotion winning season, he made 36 appearances for the club, scoring five and creating six. However, Costa became a bit-part player in Wolves’ 7th placed Premier League finish last season, making most of his 21 appearances from the bench to attack tired defenders. It’s believed Leeds have been monitoring the wingers situation since January when they failed in an attempt to sign his compatriot Ivan Cavaliero. The deal looked to have stalled when Leeds were unable to stump up the £15million that Wolves wanted to recoup as they prepare for Europa League football next season. Leeds however have agreed to take Costa on loan for the season with a potential option to take him permanently at the end of the season.  With Leeds severely lacking attacking options over the season due to injuries and poor investment in January causing the club’s season to capitulate in the final months, the addition of Costa shows a clear intent to not let history repeat itself.
Do you like the signing of Costa? Would you prefer to see him wide right or adapt to a more central attacking role? Have your say in the comments below. By Ryan Ingham  Leeds United have began their steps in the transfer market with three additions today and there could be serveral more over the coming week. However, one player that has failed to catch their attention is Premier League journey man Jason Puncheon. The talented midfielder, known for a worldie or two has seen his Crystal Palace contract expire as of July 1st and will now be on the lookout for a new club. At the age of 33-years old, Puncheon may find it hard to secure a move to a Premier League club. However, the option to chase promotion to the Premier League under a coach like Marcelo Bielsa could be too good to turn down.  Could we soon see the brilliance of Puncheon soon at Elland Road? The former Southampton, Crystal Palace and Plymouth midfielder has recently concluded a loan spell at relegated club Huddersfield Town and there’s no sign the club will offer Puncheon fresh terms to join their Championship campaign for next season. Having made over 204 Premier League appearances, scoring 23 goals and creating another 25, the winger could be the perfect addition as Leeds enter the market for smart additions to the squad. Puncheon still has a year or two in the tank and may be the man that makes a difference on a day Leeds need a spark, as seen by the video of his exploits at Palace below. Capable of playing on either wing or as an attacking midfielder, Puncheon could add much needed strength and depth to a Leeds squad and become a second option to Leeds’ current midfield wizard Pablo Hernandez.
His versatility, strength and ability to beat a man are all traits that Leeds are looking for in a midfielder the can add some attacking intent missed at the latter stage of last season. A deal for Puncheon would be a very low financial risk at the back end of his career, with no transfer fee needed and a very comfortable wage expected to win him over. Would you like to see Puncheon join the club? Have your say in the comments below. By Ryan Ingham |
 Leeds United News 24/7CategoriesArchives
January 2019
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