Latest news with #LeedsUnited
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Daniel Farke's selection dilemma, two key areas that need strengthening to avoid Premier League relegation and the tactical tweaks shown so far: THINGS WE LEARNED from Leeds' 4-1 pre-season victory over SC Verl
Leeds United bagged their first win of pre-season as they saw off German third-tier side SC Verl 4-1. After drawing 0-0 with Manchester United, Leeds were dominant in this second pre-season engagement, which lasted 120 minutes. Joel Piroe scored both goals in the first half, with the second coming from the penalty spot, while Wilfried Gnonto and summer signing Lukas Nmecha getting in on the act later. Verl grabbed a consolation goal in the 119th minute when Jonas Arweiler rounded Karl Darlow. The match gave Daniel Farke a chance to test out one of his systems for the upcoming season and mull over various selection headaches. Mail Sport's Aadam Patel was on the scene to bring you all the things we learned. Tactical flexibility After setting up in a 4-3-3 against Manchester United, Leeds reverted to the 4-2-3-1 they adopted last season. Understandably, this was a game where they had much more control against a German third-tier outfit and the Leeds boss, Daniel Farke insisted that he wants his side to be 'flexible' for the range of challenges in the Premier League. 'We are flexible and want to be flexible. I'm not addicted to base formations. I'm more addicted to principles,' Farke told Mail Sport. 'There are different challenges and games where we don't expect too much possession. When you travel to Man City or to Arsenal or Liverpool, those games will be different to the games against the promoted sides so we need different options. 'Last season, we played in a very similar base formation because we were winning games and when you're winning, you don't want to disturb. I expect more challenges next season where we have to mirror the opponent more so it's important to prepare for that,' Farke added. On numerous occasions, he kept shouting 'distance' to Ilia Gruev and Sean Longstaff, implying that he wanted his two holding midfielders to be close to each other and form a double pivot. Ultimately, this clash against lower-level opposition was an early indicator of how Leeds may set up in games where they expect more of the ball. The left-wing conundrum With Manor Solomon gone, the left-wing situation is intriguing. Against SC Verl, Farke tried out both Jack Harrison and Largie Ramazani there before Wilfried Gnonto spent the latter stages, switching from right to left. Harrison, despite tensions with sections of the fanbase, is getting his chance during pre-season and was the subject of much of Farke's instructions during his 60 minutes on the pitch. Early on, the Leeds boss insisted to Harrison that 'we have to be quicker (to get) inside' and given that the 28-year-old hasn't been at Leeds for the past two seasons, it seems that he is still coming to grips with Farke's system. Ramazani, who provided a spark against Man Utd, was brilliant again and involved in both second-half goals but still lacks that killer edge in front of goal. While Gnonto looked good too and scored with his left-foot. The pair have started pre-season brightly. Looking ahead, a move for Brazilian Igor Paixao is unlikely but not impossible with Paixao's team insisting to Mail Sport that right now, he is only negotiating with Marseille. But if those talks do not progress, then the Feyenoord winger, who Leeds like, is one to keep an eye on. The need for a top goalkeeper Against SC Verl, Illan Meslier, Alex Cairns and Karl Darlow all played 40 minutes each (in a 120-minute game). Meslier was Leeds' number one for most of Farke's first two seasons but was dropped towards the latter stages of last season for Karl Darlow. Both Meslier and Darlow made impressive saves while Cairns was penalised for holding onto the ball too long, as per the new IFAB rules which allows the keeper to hold onto the ball for a maximum of eight seconds, otherwise a corner kick is awarded to the other side. Leeds want a new number one in place before the start of the season but the belief is that there's no real rush yet, given that it will take less time for a keeper to fit into the system. 'We have three really good goalkeepers who played but we will look at each and every position in order to strengthen the squad,' Farke admitted. Patrick Bamford is not in Farke's plan to be a consistent part of their Premier League campaign Striker crisis Up top, Joel Piroe hit the ground running with a brace, new signing Lukas Nmecha looked a handful and Harry Gray was impressive too. That said, with Patrick Bamford exiled and Mateo Joseph wanting a move away, the need for another quality centre-forward is clear. Leeds like Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz and had a £26illion bid rejected by Fulham last month. It remains to be seen whether they'll go back for the Brazilian, who Fulham value at north of £40m. There is a possibility that Leeds will wait for a few outgoings to raise the funds while Rodrigo is certainly keen for regular football, in a World Cup year. Asked about the need for a striker now heating up, Farke said: 'It was always the plan to build the squad step-by-step. We are looking for enforcements and for players who make us better. 'That's regardless of the situation with Mateo (Joseph) and Patrick (Bamford). Central defence and central midfield are sorted. All the other positions, we are still in the market.'
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Report – Newly Promoted Premier League Outfit Leeds United Enter Race For €8M-Rated Inter Milan Fringe Striker
Premier League newcomers Leeds United have reportedly joined the race for out-of-favor Inter Milan striker Mehdi Taremi. According to Gazzetta dello Sport via FCInterNews, the Whites are ready to rival Besiktas and Fulham for his signature. Inter Milan have put the 33-year-old up for sale but are still waiting for official bids. Despite drumming up interest across Europe, Mehdi Taremi has yet to find a new club. Meanwhile, the Nerazzurri are in a hurry as they hope to sign Ademola Lookman as soon as possible. Leeds United Join Race for Inter Milan Flop Mehdi Taremi LECCE, ITALY – JANUARY 26: Mehdi Taremi of FC Internazionale celebrates after scoring his team's fourh goal goal during the Serie A match between Lecce and FC Internazionale at Stadio Via del Mare on January 26, 2025 in Lecce, Italy. (Photo by) Besiktas are reportedly at the head of the queue. Yet, Taremi has several suitors in the Premier League. Indeed, Fulham and West Ham United have shown interest. However, Leeds could beat their domestic rivals to the punch. Back to the top flight after one year, Daniel Farke's men are keen to avoid another quick drop. Therefore, they're working around the clock on reinforcing their squad. Taremi could be a valuable addition despite his underwhelming career at San Siro.
BBC News
7 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
'It's not a situation I like'
Leeds boss Daniel Farke has confirmed striker Mateo Joseph "would like to move" away from the 21-year-old has three years left on his current deal, but has not travelled on the Whites' pre-season tour of Germany and "prefers a move to Spain", according to made 39 appearances in the Championship last season, including 11 starts, and scored three goals."It was actually the plan to have him here [in Germany]," said Farke after his side beat SC Verl 4-1."With him the situation is quite clear. We really value and rate him - otherwise we wouldn't have played him, especially in the beginning of the last successful campaign ahead of a golden boot winner in Joel Piroe and an experienced striker like Patrick Bamford."Nevertheless, he came to me and asked for a new challenge and would like to move. He has also hinted that he prefers a move to Spain due to his Spanish roots. That was his call."Farke has said he "won't stand in the way" of a move for Joseph, but expressed his disappointment."We have invested a lot in him - time, money and backing," Farke added."He's on a long-term contract and we value him. This is for our key people and the board to decide the value. The truth is that no other club has met our expectations yet."Because of that, we expected him to train and travel with us. He mentioned that he didn't feel ready for the trip to Stockholm. I accepted this because he started later with training. The day after, he said he didn't feel ready to travel to play the friendlies here in Germany."It's not a situation I like. I've spoken honestly to him and strongly recommended him to be professional but he said he's not in a mental state to do this."What should I do? I can't call the police to drag him here on the training pitch. It was his decision."
BBC News
9 hours ago
- Sport
- BBC News
Gossip: Joseph asks to leave Leeds
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke says forward Mateo Joseph has asked to leave. (Yorkshire Evening Post, external)Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip columnFollow the gossip column on BBC Sport
The Sun
17 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
West Ham open talks with ex-Newcastle star Callum Wilson after he turned down pay-as-you-play contract
WEST HAM are in talks to sign free agent Callum Wilson. Wilson, 33, turned down a pay-as-you play deal at Newcastle, who decided against taking up an option to extend his deal this summer. 2 Newcastle had decided against triggering their one-year option on Wilson which would have kept him on the same wage of about £45,000-a-week. The ex-England striker has long been admired at the London Stadium and talks are being held over an incentivised contract. The deal would involve an agreement where a player's wages are directly tied to the number of games they play, rather than a fixed salary. This type of contract is often offered to players with a history of injuries or those returning from long-term absences. Wilson scored 47 goals in 113 appearances for the Magpies, but has struggled with back and hamstring injuries during his time with the club. West Ham released both Danny Ings and Michail Antonio at the end of last season. Antonio made a return to football with Jamaica following his horror crash in December, but has not agreed a new deal with West Ham. Wilson has attracted interest from newly-promoted Leeds United and will look to continue his Premier League career. The former Cherries man has also been looking towards life after football, working as a pundit on the Club World Cup this summer. Wilson suffered from injury issues at Newcastle but still scored 47 times in 113 Premier League appearances. Newcastle contract blunder could cost them Isak 2 In the 2022/23 Premier League campaign, Wilson was Newcastle 's top scorer. He was a late substitute in this year's Carabao Cup final where Newcastle ended their 56-year wait for silverware.
