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29 Jun 2024 16:54:38
Archie off to Brentford for £35m it seems.
Devastating.
1.) 29 Jun 2024 17:03:59
No chance.
2.) 29 Jun 2024 17:22:05
My confidence in the 49ers stewardship of this club is dwindling.
3.) 29 Jun 2024 17:46:35
A deal up to £40m not to be sniffed at.
Now let the other bidders enter the game. This one ain’t over yet!
4.) 29 Jun 2024 23:39:07
I'll be sad to see him leave. He's a cracking player and a Leeds lad.
We can't be selling all our assets or we've no chance next season.
5.) 30 Jun 2024 08:03:36
Whoever we sell, will be replaced. I would also be sad to see him leave, but an acceptance of a fee like that, means he will definitely be leaving, but I think it will be elsewhere, and not Brentford.
17 Jun 2024 01:23:59
This is really out there but I was playing Football Manager 2024 tonight and at the end of the first season. got a bonus of 1.5m from Bournemouth on account of their staying up (avoiding relegation clause) from the Tyler Adams deal.
Anyone know if this is genuinely in the deal or not. Sounds weird but FM has a way about it, the level of detail in the game can astound so worth wondering about.
1.) 18 Jun 2024 13:48:22
ive not heard anything about that - maybe just in the game?
06 Aug 2023 23:25:17
Leeds being linked with Pantelis Chatzidiakos from Alkmaar for a relatively low fee (around 2.5m) .
Also reports that we're still (yes still) talking to Liverpool about Phillips for a fee of 10m if all adds on are met. So a bit cheaper than the direct 10m that was being talked about earlier if i understand it.
1.) 07 Aug 2023 15:42:27
I can't even say it, let alone sing it!
2.) 07 Aug 2023 16:59:58
He'll need an extra large shirt regardless.
3.) 08 Aug 2023 16:42:22
Chat - zid - e, - akos.
4.) 08 Aug 2023 21:35:25
Close Chris, the C is a silent one.
5.) 08 Aug 2023 22:26:46
Just call him Pants.
Ealing BKB's banter posts with other poster's replies to Ealing BKB's banter posts
23 Apr 2026 16:37:58
Would anyone take any players from Leicester?
I get that they went down without a whimper and definitely an attitude problem there with some.
James Justin shows that a change of scenery could help some massively.
I wouldn't take many and would stay away from Winks and Skipp.
However, I would be interested in Luke Thomas as a backup for Gabby and Fatawu as a dangerous winger, hopefully as a James replacement.
Thoughts? Obviously at the right price but if £15m got it down quickly for both, I would jump at that.
The BBC article really lays bare how much trouble they are in, so we should be trying a cut price deal with maybe a loan or two of youngsters to 'help' them.
1.) 23 Apr 2026 17:42:51
About 2.5 years ago I had read that Leicester were talking to an Australian financial outfit.
To bankroll the incoming Seez.
Couldn't help but think, oh dear, this ain't gonna end well. Just had a few red flags in it.
Terrible for supporters, another example of silver spoon kids destroying what a more old skool man had built up.
2.) 23 Apr 2026 17:48:18
Err, Luke Thomas a virtual ever present in a Leicester defence that has shipped 70 goals so far against Champo players!
No to any Leicester players for me..
And DJ has a contract to June 2029 at Leeds United. Hopefully his injury is behind him now, and next season he bags EPL goals and assists for Leeds.
3.) 23 Apr 2026 19:40:23
Most Leicester players aren't good enough for the Championship, let alone the PL. That's why they are where they are. No thanks!
4.) 23 Apr 2026 20:41:03
Personally, I thought it was a good shout from Ealing.
Fatawu is a good player, as is Thomas.
We were a disgrace the season we got relegated, but players like Pascal and Aaronson are still at ER doing their bit. And, don't forget we got JJ from them and look how he's performed.
We have 100 mill apparently to spend? I'd rather get two or three big quality signings and some good back ups at a reasonable price.
We need difference makers in attack.
5.) 23 Apr 2026 21:03:32
I don't think that there is any player at Leicester City that is going to help us in the Premiership. The confidence in those players is at an all-time low, and even the ones with potential would be a significant risk to take on.
6.) 23 Apr 2026 21:10:15
Fatawu got to be worth a peek.
Take him out of the current environment, and a more stable surrounding should bring back out the talent that's in there.
7.) 23 Apr 2026 21:17:52
A good player in a bad team won't look as good as he can be.
8.) 24 Apr 2026 07:19:35
Monga is the young man (17/18) that all the big teams are supposed to be watching, and they will almost certainly have to sell.
I cannot believe that Harry Winks will remain on £90,000 a week in Division One!
Without significant financial injection, the BBC article is claiming that they will be unable to service their debts.
9.) 24 Apr 2026 12:36:54
I'm very happy we got Justin when we did, and I was surprised that he has turned out better than I thought.
That club is rotten to the core, and I can't see how any of those players at Leicester can be a Premiership player. Ultimately, it was the players who sent them down; the players' characters alone must tell you already that they are not prepared to fight and give their max.
They might offload a few players to some Championship clubs, but I would be very surprised if any wing it to a Premiership club.
10.) 25 Apr 2026 09:14:59
Justin has been a revelation at Leeds. He got a lot of stick from Leicester supporters, and most were pleased they'd "got rid" of him when he went to ER. Shows how a change of environment can sometimes re-kickstart your career.
21 Apr 2026 00:34:32
I wonder if/ (when) we do stay up, are there players who we'd identify as thanks for the service, but time to move on if we can entertain bids for them? Apart from stars, Kalvin, Raphinha, Archie, Georgie, Crye we've been really awful about moving on squad players for fees for a long time:
Meslier (contract expiring) thanks and not quite good riddance - I remember his first 18 months fondly and somewhat tantalisingly of what could have been so not an entire disaster, really hope a change of scenery helps him.
Wober - still has a year on his contract. We may have to eat that.
Byram - not a prem full back but must be a great lad. If he'd be willing to wind down maybe transition him to the Jonny Howson role with the U21/ 23s? Only if he's game for that if he feels he has another season or two in champ, then good luck.
Dan James - Also feels he's not a Prem player a classic too good for Champ, not Prem standard. Getting older, more injuries surely about to hit his best asset, his pace.
Piroe - Same too good for Champ, not Prem quality. I'd harbour ambitions of trading him to Burnley either in full for Flemming or part exchange for Flemming and Hartman.
Harrison - Awful contract, like Meslier don't let that entirely detract from his Bielsa days. Also played a huge part in keeping us up with a hattrick at West Ham and Brentford final day goal.
Joseph - just done a major injury so no suitors in summer for sure.
Gelhardt - seems comfortable in Champ, second season he's done quite well there. A final look in the summer pre-season or offer him to Champ for £7-10m? Ironically one of our best saleable assets that obviously doesn't impact first team having not been here. Intrigued, because the lad has quick feet, pace and a bit of flair, which the squad lacks in general.
Paraag 'deals in my sleep' Marathe will do well to get £20m and you'd have to say most of that would come on Gelhardt, James and Piroe.
Finally midfield has been excellent this season and all the lads deserve praise. But do we look to move on from Longstaff after one season or perhaps Gruev? The more vulnerable two but I've got to say more pressing positions to worry about for now.
1.) 21 Apr 2026 07:21:59
I think and hope that Wober and Harrison's days at the Club are over and done with. So, if Marathe is the deal maker he makes out to be, negotiate to pay them off and get rid of them. Regarding Meslier, he needs to move on for his sake and ours.
If we do sell the likes of Piroe, James, Longstaff, Gelhart, and Gruyev, don't let them go on the cheap. They have a value; top end Championship or promoted sides would probably be interested in them.
2.) 21 Apr 2026 07:36:21
Agree with all that. I'd keep Gruyev. If he's looking at centre back, then Bornagain can go. Namecheck, too. If it were up to me, another player too. Try to keep Tanaka unless big coin comes in.
Do we give Darlow another year? I'd let Perri go, too, and sign another goalkeeper. Get rid of as many of those we said. Buy a bloody good creative and a bloody good striker or two.
3.) 21 Apr 2026 08:52:12
Good post, Ealing.
Certainly need to say thanks and goodbye to Meslier, Wober, Harrison, Gelhardt, Piroe (if at all possible) .
Still, I think Joseph has something to offer, but I can't ever see him forcing his way back into the team (pity) .
Personally I'd like to hang onto James, Longstaff and Gruev - we need to strengthen the squad, of course, but these three are capable replacements as and when injuries and suspensions happen.
Agree with you, Aus, that we definitely need to strengthen what is effectively the spine of the team - new centre half (upgrade on Pascal) , crying out for a creative midfielder (have been for years - unless he gives Tanaka an extended run in that position) .
And finally a striker to play off DCL. Nmecha is okay and useful off the bench, but we need an Alan Smith (or better still an Allan Clarke!) . Someone who can form a partnership with DCL and bang in 20 goals in a season.
Point tomorrow night on the south coast and three more at home against Burnley (plus squeeze in a cup semi victory against Chelsea) and we can all start drawing up our 'most wanted' lists.
Just one thing I would ask of our recruitment team - please get the business done early for a change! Buying/selling players well into August is no good. Team/squad needs to be settled going into the first match of the season, not halfway through October!
4.) 21 Apr 2026 10:48:04
We'll need all of them next season with European football on the menu. ?
5.) 21 Apr 2026 11:02:38
What Canada said.
6.) 21 Apr 2026 18:54:04
Excellent post Ealing.
Unfair on Byram saying he's not EPL standard. Maybe you mean at this point in his career, because if it wasn't for injuries, he would have got England caps. He could have been a top player imo.
Piroe has to go, as he's not getting game time.
If we could get 15 million for Aaronson I'd sell, and hopefully a newly promoted team will pay a similar fee for Longstaff. And if Hull get promoted, expect another 12 million plus for Geldhart.
As for Harrison and Wober, well we all know what we'll get for them.
7.) 21 Apr 2026 19:25:45
I think all of those listed, or speculated on, could do jobs in the other top leagues in Europe, inc Joffy. No reason for them all to end up in the champo.
And keep Longstaff! He's hardly had a crack of the whip this season with injuries. He seemed to be hitting form just as he got crocked.
8.) 21 Apr 2026 19:53:22
Keep Longstaff?
Tell me, Brighty, what is he good at?
Ok, he runs around a lot, but what does he do that's good?
He's a very average midfielder, and if we want to progress, we need better.
I'm still astonished he was above Tanaka in the pecking order earlier in the season!
9.) 22 Apr 2026 01:44:25
Starting with the obvious candidates:
Meslier & Byram - out of contract this Jun.
Harrison & Wober - get rid, permanently if poss.
Darlow - offer a contract extension.
Perri - has looked better of late, so maybe keep for now.
Bornauw, Longstaff, Piroe, Ramazani & Gelhardt - accept any reasonable offer.
Joseph - will need to stay whilst injury heals.
James - keep for now.
Harry Gray - new loan deal to a Championship outfit, no lower.
Nmecha - keep for now. As he came on a free, might his amortisation value for SCR be low?
Some also suggest losing Struijk, but not me.
All the rest keep, and firmly reject any offers. Under no circumstances get drawn into any discussion of our valuation of players, as someone is sure to offer that much and unsettle them in the process.
What we need:
Quality striker to partner DCL.
Left back cover for GG - Krejci?
Attacking Midfielder - Scienza?
Plus quality replacements for any that do go to maintain the current squad format.
05 Apr 2026 17:23:38
So Nmecha gets a yellow for minimal contact (yes it was late) but the late challenge on Stach that takes so much of him that he's injured isn't even a foul? I'm not surprised. Doesn't matter if we go on to win, if this is any more than a knock on Stach, it's devastating.
1.) 05 Apr 2026 18:11:16
1000% Ealing.
2.) 05 Apr 2026 19:40:33
What a proper Leedsy way to win a cup tie. ????
{Ed025's Note - but win it you did JR..
3.) 06 Apr 2026 12:15:50
VAR is broken and it cannot be fixed, as they have tried everything possible, and it doesn't work. Unfortunately, it's run by morons, and it's clear to see that was a pen, and they say it because the foot was in front of his head, but the boot was high, and stopped the natural movement in which to score.
26 Mar 2026 15:21:36
So the match incidents panel has updated their numbers to include that the Gudmundsson second yellow wasn't worth a second yellow - unanimously. They also said Johnson was correctly not shown a second yellow.
This basically makes it two critical games recently where we've been disadvantaged if you include the Struijk manhandling in the Sunderland game.
I hope Leeds write to the FA/ Premier League/ Refs group.
It won't change the outcome but I do believe slightly in if teams have written in there's a underscore of refs being told that team x have had porr decisions recently, and that does weigh on appointments and in game decisions. Not that there's a single appointment right now makes a difference.
Also vindicated when you get 'analysts' like Dermot Gallagher just agreeing with the refs call every single time.
1.) 26 Mar 2026 19:31:38
Definitely worth LUFC writing to PGMOL, etc., detailing a major decision/omission error that has detrimentally affected LUFC by the Ref/VAR.
I have a feeling, and am hoping, that we might finally get a few crucial favourable decisions in our remaining 8 EPL matches.
2.) 27 Mar 2026 00:11:46
Gallagher is a knob.
3.) 27 Mar 2026 00:12:27
Hope so, Baz!
4.) 27 Mar 2026 06:53:58
This will have zero effect on the PGMOL or referees' decision-making in these last games.
Last season in the Championship, we had at least six or seven referee decisions that were clearly wrong, where we lost match points.
Official letters were sent to the EFL, with obviously zero impact on any future decision-making by referees.
Sorry, but this is just wishful thinking.
It's quite often that some teams at the bottom part of the league will get more than their fair share of bad decisions from officiating.
5.) 27 Mar 2026 09:22:20
Well, let's be more optimistic, OP, hey?
I hope and believe I will be proved correct on this in remaining EPL matches, with my beloved Leeds United receiving some very well overdue, favorable, crucial decisions by refs and VAR.
25 Mar 2026 17:48:35
Thoughts on the prices of the England shirts this Yr? Beyond disgraceful for me but not surprising. I haven't bought an England shirt in years and don't plan to anytime soon but for kids who are experiencing their first memories of a World Cup etc it's a real shame that it costs £70 for a kids kits or shirt.
I get a Leeds jersey every 3rd or 4th year when I really like a kit or it's been a memorable season. This yrs kit for Leeds doesn't really inspire me but I think there's offers on the site that take it to below £30 now.
If I'm buying I always wait til sales near the end of the season.
Leeds this Yr looks cheaper than many years I can remember with a lot of stock left in popular sizes. Speaks to me of people not loving the shirts this Yr particularly the home shirt or they bought too much inventory. Might be the sponsor badge.
1.) 25 Mar 2026 18:01:16
I saw a report saying some kids full kits were 123quid! Utterly disgusting.
Rip Off Britain seems to have been ditched as a phrase, but it's more applicable than ever, and it seems the mentality is "if they pay 'x' for that, then they'll pay a shed load more for this..!"
Stinks!
2.) 26 Mar 2026 08:33:58
It's meant to be the working man's game.
Way overpriced.
3.) 27 Mar 2026 00:12:58
Ridiculous.
06 May 2026 21:15:13
I speculated that we'd be too far down the totem pole for him. I also think that unless he'd take a massive paycut, he wouldn't be worth it for Leeds.
A two year deal - with a third year vesting option after 20 appearances in the final season @70K a week, is the absolute most I'd stretch to for him. I imagine he'd get far better offers than that, and fair enough. I think he's a Villa/Newcastle signing at 120k two years, or maybe Everton at 100K two years.
If we wanted to take a punt on an injury prone cb, I'd offer Adam Webster a one-year deal at 35K a week, with a vesting second year on appearances. He'd take the Bornauw backup role, but likely a 10-15% depth upgrade.
I think this would be a very different situation from DCL, aside from them both being free agents.
Central defence is very much a strength for us with Joe, Bijol, Struijk, Justin, Ampadu, and Bornauw in that order. In that list, on current evidence, he wouldn't even be no.1 or no.2 for me. He'd slot in on par with Struijk, so very good but not first on the team sheet for the position, which it would have to be to be worth it. With DCL, it was a thin market in our budget for a centre forward that we desperately needed an upgrade in that position.
Doekhi (impending free agent) .
Anel Ahmedhodzic (former Sheffield United) , est. cost £12-15m, suits our system, prem experience at Sheffield, 6'3.
Mavropanos if West Ham get relegated.
Axel Disasi if Chelsea decide to sell after his West Ham loan is up.
Ben Davies (more the Byram utility replacement) .
06 May 2026 21:14:41
I like the sound of doing business early. My only regret is that, at defensive midfield, it probably means we won't do Eric Martel, who is also set to be a defensive midfield free agent, younger and a giant. But in Farke we trust!
19 Apr 2026 11:47:37
The lads on the Square Ball were talking about this, and they didn't seem to think there's a lot in it at this stage.
19 Mar 2025 00:04:11
I think there's a deal to be done - as ever at the right price.
Is Phillips right now worth the clickbait £20m mooted, absolutely not. Is it true that his best form and performances came for us? Yes. Media have to read the climate too. If he can't get in the Ipswich lineup regularly and is an albatross contract for City, their bargaining power really isn't all that. I'd offer a loan with maybe 40-50% of his wages, and an offer linked to appearances to buy out his final year entirely (about £8m) if a clause of say 25 league appearances is met. If the love/ motivation of playing for Leeds again nets us a player that's 80/ 90% of the one that left its a good deal. City might think they can do better than that, if so good luck to them.
I happen to think Phillips would be an upgrade on Gruev (who has done a lovely job for £5m-but would be found out in Prem) .
23 Aug 2024 12:07:31
Said earlier this window I wouldn't want him for what Bournemouth paid as he didn't have the best season for whatever reason. £5m to buy now (to use in tandem with Bogle) , or loan with £8m option if we go up. Seems to have lost his way but maybe Farke relationship will help.
05 May 2026 20:38:56
I think we need to be fairly careful. The medical staff have done a superb job keeping the team healthy overall - our squad has missed the fewest matches this season to injury (77 apparently) . Testament to medical, Farke's formation, and some luck there too.
With approx 120m to spend (net in Reading) , we do need some more depth. Also, don't be fooled that there won't be some bids for our better players. Struijk has had some interest, no doubt Gabby will too. Not that we want to sell, but we want to be ready to be able to if silly money came in.
That's how Brentford, Brighton and Bournemouth have been so successful.
Mings, for me personally, is too big a name, and on too big a decline to warrant looking at seriously. I'd prefer to look at Doekhi or Adam Webster, who are both out of contract. Webster, admittedly, is on the back of an ACL.
Ben Davies, another we've been linked with for a while - he'd be a Byram upgrade/replacement as an emergency. I'd want another left back (Gabby clone) and allow Justin/Bogle to lock down right back.
02 May 2026 12:46:02
BA has had a much better season than I expected from him. He can certainly frustrate in the final third, and can look a little lightweight at times (though I think he has improved a bit on that this season) . His form around Xmas was exceptional for a 6-7 game stretch.
His reputation suffers a bit, I think, from A. Such a high transfer fee, which he probably wasn't worth (£25m) , is symptomatic of many signings that led to relegation. The fact the club paid that much for him is not his fault.
He was one of the relegation loan departures.
And yes, he did make amends by coming back, fighting for his place, and helping us get up. That has gone a long way for me with him. He took criticism on the chin, and has done his best to prove himself.
I so, so wish he had had time with Bielsa and Pablo. They could have used his work ethic and energy very effectively, and Pablo could have been the perfect role model for, sometimes, just slowing down. Ifs, buts, and maybes. He is currently a decent player. There is a very, very good player in there, though.
01 May 2026 16:36:33
This is by no means an exhaustive list, but the first thing I do as the end of the season approaches is scour the contract expirations list.
I judge it by: what could be realistic (ie Lewandowski out of contract, but impossible) , and what we could use or need. It doesn't mean I think we should shop there exclusively, but if we can find what we need without a fee, it just means we can redirect the finances to other areas. I've come up with a few names. I basically use Transfrmarkt so if some of the players listed have agreements more or less sown up with other teams and not reflected there, apologies.
Danilo Doekhi - he's been linked for a long while, out of contract, and everything we seem to hear about him sounds like an upgrade on Bornauw.
Eric Martel - a giant defensive minded midfielder at Koln - would compliment alongside Stach and could backup Ampadu for injury/suspension or positional rotation. A likely upgrade on Gruev, Longstaff and Tanaka.
Rico Henry/Andrew Robertson/Ben Davies - Gabby is the No.1 choice and yes Justin can fill in there. But he isn't left-sided. Henry is still sort of finding himself after rough injury years, and Robbo in the twilight with good experience and the system with three at the back could hide his declining pace. One or the other to backup Gabby would be a nice shout. Davies is really getting on now but decent back up to Gabby, you get the sense he wouldn't complain about it and could cover CB in a pinch too. Think Byram +10% and could be great with the Welsh lads.
Harry Wilson would be nice, but with a superb season I don't see it now unless the Welsh lads have a bigger sway than I thought. Part of me thinks he's overachieved this yr and based on his career to date that form isn't sustainable.
Jonas Wind - 6'3 Target man type. Perfect for our set pieces and the Amps long throws. Has had a bit of a stop start season with injury, but played 35+ games in the two seasons before this one, 20 goals across those two years.
Wildcards - Myron Boadu - young prodigy who never hit predicted heights, Ross Barkley - age beginning to show but some flair there, Nabil Fekir - was extremely talented but been in Saudi or similar so question marks on how high his level remains. But a flair player certainly in his prime.
Recognisable names I WOULDN'T touch: Vincent Janssen (31, strk formerly of Spurs) , Allan Saint Maximin (formerly Newcastle) , Raheem Sterling (should remember) , Stones (too old, would command too much money for decline and too injured) . Adam Webster (similar to Stones) . Patson Daka (Leicester) .
Things could change. If we sold Bornauw and a too good offer for Struijk for example came in, then trials for Webster or Stones if they wanted a chance to prove their fitness, Stones especially probably wouldn't do that, then fair enough.
If I could choose two players from the list I provided, I think Wind is the player that could help us position/depth wise the most despite the fitness question mark. He wouldn't backup DCL and Nmecha I think he competes directly with them, maybe winning the starting job. I think Martel is the best-quality player there. Other higher quality players like Julian Brandt and Bernardo Silva obviously out of contract, but fell into the category of not realistic for us.
Looking at goalkeepers, its a real thin market there especially this yr.
26 Apr 2026 21:52:15
I guess my only interest in the final is a loose interest in Erling doing well as a Leeds lad. Hopefully he can bang a few past them that would be very satisfying.
26 Apr 2026 21:51:20
I would totally try to cash in on DCL in the summer if someone was silly enough to offer £50m for him. He's been good. But I think we caught some form, lucky. Based on his last four or five years.
I would expect him to get injured a lot next season, and this summer would be the best value time to cash in. No disrespect, just max the value and sell to West Ham or Spurs, whoever doesn't go down.