Here are the latest Leeds United evening headlines on Saturday 20 August 2022.
Gnonto deal
Leeds United are looking to wrap up a deal for FC Zurich forward Wilfried Gnonto as soon as possible, according to Corriere Dello Sport. They claim the Whites have submitted a bid in the region of €5 million for the Italy international, who has just 12 months left to run on his contract.
Jesse Marsch yesterday admitted Gnonto is a player Leeds are aware of amid ongoing reports from the Italian press. He did also claim that Gnonto would not be a player to go straight into the first team, though.
Harrison on survival goal
Leeds United winger Jack Harrison has described the feeling of scoring the goal that secured survival last season. Harrison fired in a stoppage time winner at Brentford in May to earn Leeds all three points and maintain the club’s Premier League status by the skin of their teeth.
READ MORE: Wilfried Gnonto is a forward Roberto Mancini loves as Jesse Marsch confirms Leeds United interest
With numerous heavy defeats and the end of Marcelo Bielsa’s memorable spell in charge at Elland Road, it was a tough season for everyone involved with the club. Harrison described the 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa in Jesse Marsch’s first home in charge as the lowest point of the season.
Speaking to the Mail Online, he said: “People cried that day, it meant that much. We were almost rock bottom. The home game against Aston Villa (a 0-3 defeat) was the epitome of that.
“Fans were chanting for Marcelo and not everyone was on the same page. We had new tactics and new ways of playing. It was tough.”
Read more here.
Skubala
Leeds United Under-21s boss Michael Skubala believes Sonny Perkins is slowly getting up to his best levels after netting a brace in the 2-1 win at Aston Villa. Perkins fired the Young Whites to a second victory in three Premier League Two Division Two matches with a couple of fine finishes either side of Josh Feeney’s equaliser.
The 18-year-old made the switch from West Ham United over the summer and given the length of time it took to get a deal done, he did not enjoy much of a pre-season. But he has not taken too long to settle in at the Whites, scoring four goals in his first three games.
Speaking to LUTV after the victory at Villa on Friday evening, Skubala was full of praise for Perkins’ display, but believes there is still room for improvement both for him, and the team.
He said: “Yeah he’s a goal machine, he loves scoring goals. He’s working on other parts of his game that he still needs to improve, but Sonny’s not had the best pre-season so he’s slowly becoming stronger and faster but two great finishes and that’s what Sonny’s all about.
Read more here.
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