Your Leeds United morning headlines for Sunday, November 20.
Marsh claims Rodrigo could have been 'best in the world'
Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch believes that he could have made Whites star Rodrigo "one of the best players in the world" if he came across the Spaniard earlier in his managerial career .
Rodrigo has long been touted as an international star, dating back as far as 2009 when he joined Real Madrid's youth team aged 18. Having failed to make the grade at the Santiago Bernabeu, the Brazil-born star had two successful spells at Iberian giants Benfica and Valencia before making the switch to Elland Road in what was a club record move.
And Marsch told The Athletic that had he worked with Rodrigo from a young age whilst he was on the books in the Spanish capital, he could have made Leeds No.19 a world star.
READ MORE: Leeds United youngsters facing opportunity to hand Jesse Marsch selection headache
"We have Rodrigo at Leeds, and he’s 31 and I’ve even had a conversation with him at one point and said it’s too bad I didn’t know him when he was 18 because I could have helped make him one of the best players in the world — I truly believe that," the American said. "But in the process at Leeds, we’re still uncovering new potentials for him and he’s committed and adapted incredibly well."
Read more here.
Leeds are a 'work in progress' says Beckford
Jermaine Beckford believes Leeds United are still very much a "work in progress" based on last weekend's 4-3 defeat at Tottenham Hotspur. The Whites were left frustrated to leave the capital empty handed after taking the lead on three separate occasions before conceding twice late on.
Leeds actually became the first Premier League side in just under 10 years to lose a match they had been ahead in three times. Nevertheless, they showed plenty of promise against a Spurs side who have been in the top four almost all season, with the attack again looking dangerous after scoring four the week before.
Unfortunately for Jesse Marsch's side, though, holding onto leads has been a struggle all season and the defence has looked extremely leaky in recent weeks.
Speaking on the Official Leeds United Podcast, Beckford claimed: “We went to Tottenham who were third at the time in the Premier League in their own backyard and we beat them up, we went toe to toe with them and we came out with, we came out looking and smelling and feeling fantastic. Like everybody can appreciate the good stuff that we do, don’t get me wrong, we’re still a work in progress, that’s normal, anybody knows that."
Read more here.
Why Leeds can take inspiration from Arsenal's title chase
Leeds United have placed a clear emphasis on investing in young talent in their two-and-a-half years back in the Premier League. The Whites have spent heavily on some of England and Europe's brightest prospects in recent transfer windows, and in the summer they also moved their first team recruitment policy to signing players primarily 25 and under.
And that transfer policy is reflected by two key statistics - the first of which is that Leeds have the most number of players aged 23 or under to play a minimum of 450 minutes in the Premier League with six. Illan Meslier, Pascal Struijk, Crysencio Summerville, Sinisterra, Adams and Aaronson are the men to achieve that so far.
Leeds also have the third lowest average age of players played in the division with 25; only Southampton and Arsenal are lower. And it is the latter who Leeds can look to emulate, all be it on a lesser scale
The Gunners have been replacing some of their older players with young talent for a number of years now, but they have had to come through a number of testing seasons before the success that now seems to be arriving. They now, however, sit top of the table with 37 points in 14 matches and are playing some of their best football for a long time.
Read more here.
Aaronson outlines USA World Cup ambitions
Leeds United midfielder Brenden Aaronson is set to represent USA at a major international tournament for the first time in his career. The 22-year-old is currently in Qatar preparing for the World Cup, with USA set to kick off their group stage campaign with a match against Wales on Monday.
Aaronson has already proven to be a hit at Leeds and now it appears as though his home nation are banking on him being a key player at the World Cup, if USA are to have any hopes of progressing.
Time, conducted an interview with Aaronson in the week after Leeds' 2-1 win away at Liverpool, during which he ran 8.2 miles—the most distance any Premier League player has managed in a single game all season. They claim that Aaronson has become 'the U.S.’s hottest soccer prospect for generations'.
During the interview, Aaronson spoke of his aspirations for the tournament, and it's fair to say he has high hopes. “Yeah, we’re underdogs, but going into the World Cup… we want to win, so we’re going to give it our all and try to go to the final."
Read more here.
READ NEXT:
- Points to prove at Leeds United with contracts, international spots and futures to play for
- Leeds United mid-season player ratings: Trio stand out but Bamford and Llorente struggle
- Luke Ayling's uncertain future as Leeds United contract call to be made
- Leeds United's new priorities with Rodrigo competition, key recruitment call and striker decision
- Leeds United approaching Charlie Cresswell decision as Millwall loan clause moves into focus
