Here are the latest Leeds United morning headlines on Sunday, 19 June 2022.
Whelan on Gelhardt
Noel Whelan has hailed the work of everyone at Leeds United for the development of young striker Joe Gelhardt. Gelhardt’s breakthrough season at the club received huge recognition earlier this week as he was nominated for the Golden Boy award.
This is a huge signal of the potential at Gelhardt’s disposal, with superstars such as Pedri, Gavi and Eduardo Camavinga also making the list. Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan praised the involvement of everyone from Gelhardt, to the coaching staff at Leeds for his nomination.
He said: “Absolutely. I think everyone’s got to take a little bit of credit for this nomination. Just to recognise and see him when he was at Wigan as a young player coming through, to then take that opportunity to swoop in and bring him into the club.
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“Not just that, that’s one part of it. The progression of getting him to where he is now as well takes a lot of work. A lot of time from the coaches. A lot of faith from everybody who’s brought him in and a lot of trust in your own ability.
“That comes down to Joe Gelhardt as well. Pushing himself in the under-23s. Putting in performances week in, week out. Having that desire to force his way into the first team, which he has.
“He hasn’t let anybody down since he has come into the first team. Every time he’s stepped foot on that field, there’s been an impact in one way or another.
“I think that does deserve recognition. Rightly so that everyone should feel pleased about that little part of the job that they’ve done.”
Klich training
Mateusz Klich has been spending some of his off-season time inspiring young footballers in his home country of Poland by joining in for the day at Klich Football School - the youth football school that was set up by Klich and his father, Wojciech, in Poland.
Klich’s father - a former professional player and UEFA A licence coach - runs the school day-to-day along with two other coaches, running training sessions for all ages and skill levels.
The Whites midfielder has dropped by in the past when in his home country and found time to do so again.
Read more here.
Raphinha nerves
Nerves in Barcelona about Raphinha’s Leeds United future appear to have forced direct involvement from the Spanish club’s president. The Brazil international is expected to move on from Elland Road this summer with the Nou Camp giants linked with the winger for months.
In broad terms, the expiry of Ousmane Dembele’s contract on June 30 will go a long way to freeing up funds for Raphinha, but it is inevitably more complex than that. More progress with the transfer, it seems, may have been expected by Barcelona’s fans and perhaps Raphinha himself based on Saturday’s reports.
Sport, a daily sports newspaper based in Barcelona, and well placed within the Nou Camp, reports Joan Laporta has personally reassured the winger about the future of this proposed deal. If Laporta has had to personally encourage Raphinha, it underlines the doubts which may have crept into the player's mind about this move happening amid the financial turmoil being reported.
Read more here.
