Here are your Leeds United evening headlines on Monday, October 10.
BBC pundit gives "outstanding" verdict to Leeds United defender after Crystal Palace performance
BBC pundit and former Premier League midfielder Don Hutchinson has praised Rasmus Kristensen's performance after Leeds United's 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace yesterday.
Despite a quick start after Pascal Struijk's ninth-minute opener, goals from Odsonne Edouard and Eberechi Eze saw the Whites extend their winless run to five matches.
The result saw Jesse Marsch's men slip further down the Premier League table to 14th after their momentum seems to have halted in recent weeks after their good start to the season.
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Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds however, Hutchinson was pleasantly surprised by Kristensen, who has himself admitted to have struggled to adapt to the Premier League in his opening few games after signing for the Whites in the summer.
“I thought he was very good defensively. I thought he certainly got the better in his one-vs-one battle with Wilfried Zaha. And we know how good he can be on his day and that was an area I’m sure we were all worried about before the start of the game.
“But listen, I thought he was outstanding defensively. He defended aggressively without going overboard. He didn’t leave massive gaps in behind which he’s been susceptible to. And he’s slowly starting to find his feet.
“Full-backs now have to give something at both ends of the pitch. And I’m yet to see his forward-thinking attributes and his attacking input on games.”
Roberto Mancini calls for patience on Wilfried Gnonto at Leeds United
Italy manager Roberto Mancini has admitted Wilfried Gnonto ‘will need time to settle’ at Leeds United. Gnonto is yet to make his first team bow for the Whites since his deadline day switch from FC Zurich, despite being named on the bench twice.
The 18-year-old has featured more prominently for the U21s so far, starting both of the wins against Southampton U21s and Tranmere Rovers. Before his move to Elland Road, Jesse Marsch claimed Gnonto would be more of a long-term project but backtracked that statement ahead of the 0-0 draw against Aston Villa eight days ago.
"I can say that he has pleasantly surprised all of us in almost every way," said Marsch. "First of all there was this video of him and I meeting in my office that went out and almost went viral, which was funny to me because it was a normal interaction of meeting a player."
Leeds United's Cody Gakpo pursuit 'in doubt' as expectations shift after electric start to season
Leeds United are now unlikely to sign PSV Eindhoven star Cody Gakpo in January, according to the Athletic. Reports from the Daily Mirror over the weekend indicated that the Whites were the favourites to land his signature in the upcoming window after agreeing personal terms with the player.
While the Athletic do state that the two clubs had come close to an agreement in recent weeks, Gakpo’s expectations have now shifted after an electric start to the season. The Dutch international has 13 goals and 10 assists in 16 club appearances this season and is quickly establishing himself as one of Europe’s top talents.
Leeds were close to signing Gakpo on deadline day in the summer, with Victor Orta even having flown to Eindhoven to secure the deal. However, with no agreement in place, talks are said to have shifted over a potential January switch instead.
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