A round-up of the latest Leeds United headlines on Friday, 11 November.
Leeds United relegation a short-term risk for 49ers Enterprises
Football finance expert Dr. Dan Plumley believes the threat of relegation would still be a risk to Leeds United's value in terms of a 49ers Enterprises' takeover.
“It’s a really interesting one,” Plumley told MOT Leeds News. “That brings us back full circle to the differences between English football and the American model of sports as you have that real short-term risk still and Leeds United may be in a relegation battle this season.
“That’s always in the back of your mind with this, and they’ll have their own reasons as well as that, but that would be one you are looking at. It’s absolutely right to look at the value of Leeds United at the moment in terms of where they’re at: their stock is high, if you look at their equity and enterprise values, they’ve jumped up over £200million from being back in the Premier League.
“Depending on the model you use, the value is currently at £300-400million, for the record, I think £300million is more likely at the top end. It’s still the highest value they’ve ever been given where they’ve come from and where they’ve been, so that’s really positive and that will factor into the decision-making.
“But, the risk of short-term performance is still key, and if you were to drop into the Championship again, you can take £100million off that valuation overnight, so that is the risk.”
Tottenham boss Antonio Conte calls for 'focus' ahead of Leeds United clash
Antonio Conte says his side need to be more focussed and pay attention ahead of their trip to Elland Road this weekend. Spurs are among the early pace setters in the Premier League but have lost three of their last five games in the league.
This has led to increased pressure from Spurs' fanbase with question marks over Conte's style of play. The Italian is under no illusion that his side must get back to winning ways after defeat to Liverpool last time out.
Speaking to Football London, Conte said: "I remember very well my first win, it was a really tough game against Leeds. The time I remember very well but the characteristics are always the same."
Poland boss explains his Mateusz Klich decision as Leeds United man overlooked
Poland boss Czesław Michniewicz has moved to explain why Mateusz Klich was left out of his squad for the World Cup. Klich was involved in Michniewicz’s provisional squad, but the Leeds United man failed to make the final cut as the national manager opted for other options.
The news will have come as a huge blow for the midfielder, who started the campaign with the target of nailing down his spot on the plane to Qatar. Klich has won 41 caps for Poland, with his last coming in the Nations League loss to the Netherlands in September.
Unfortunately, though, the 32-year-old has struggled for minutes in a Leeds shirt under Jesse Marsch and as it stands, he hasn’t started a single Premier League game this season. That lack of game time won’t have helped his chances, that is for certain.
Every word Jesse Marsch said on Leeds United's Tottenham trip, World Cup, injuries & January
Read the full transcript from Marsch, starting with his injury update...
"So I'll give you a few updates on a couple of things. So Archie Gray has turned into a little bit of an ankle injury and so we're in a situation with his age and he's still growing that we have to shut him down for about six to eight weeks. It's a little defect that he has in his ankle that kind of got highlighted when his toe got broken. So it's unfortunate. I spoke to Archie a little bit today he's obviously down about it, but we think given his age and his maturity, physical maturity, this is the best thing for him.
"Adam Forshaw has been training hard back out on the pitch and if the Tottenham match was maybe three days later, we would consider him probably eligible for the match but it at least means that he should be ready, when we get back after the World Cup to get into training and get himself back to 100%. Stuart's making great progress as well and we'll see how that goes but maybe we get him on the pitch at some point towards the end of December, early January.
"And then Patrick is out for this match. Still hasn't recovered. Klichy, he took a knee to knee knock in the match against Wolves and he'll be out and then the other one is Jack Harrison is a little bit questionable with a muscle strain but we're hopeful that in the next 24 hours he can recover and be available for tomorrow as well."
Leeds United announce Elland Road friendly against La Liga side for World Cup winter break
Leeds United are set to host Spanish side Real Sociedad at Elland Road during the World Cup winter break. Jesse Marsch's side will face a tricky test against Imanol Alguacil side, who are currently sat third in the table.
The La Liga side will go toe to toe against the Whites on Friday 16th December, 2022. There are some familiar faces among Los Txuri-Urdin ranks.
Former Manchester City playmaker David Silva and former Newcastle United midfielder Mikel Merino are among those to have Premier League experience in their squad. Tickets will go on sale online from Tuesday, 15th November at 1pm.
Antonio Conte set for late decision on key duo ahead of Leeds United clash
Tottenham Hotspur manager Antonio Conte has confirmed Ryan Sessegnon is out of Saturday's clash with Leeds United, while late decisions will be made on Richarlison and Dejan Kulusevski. Sessegnon played the full 90 minutes of Spurs' 2-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Wednesday but is unavailable against the Whites with a minor issue.
Kulusevski and Richarlison, meanwhile, both played the final half an hour at the City Ground in their respective returns from injury. The former spent well over a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury but made his comeback off the bench against Liverpool on Sunday.
Richarlison had been absent for three weeks up until Wednesday night due to an ankle injury, with both set to be in the squad again on Saturday. Conte, though, is unsure whether either will be fit enough to start against Leeds.
READ NEXT:
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- Antonio Conte reveals major Harry Kane problem ahead of Leeds United clash
- Have your say on Leeds United takeover latest as 49ers Enterprises could be set for early deal
- Leeds United defender misses out on call-up for Qatar World Cup
