A round-up of the latest Leeds United headlines on Thursday, 15 September.
Leeds United told to make loan approach for Kalvin Phillips after slow start at Manchester City
Leeds United have been told to try and loan back Kalvin Phillips after a slow start at Manchester City. The former Whites enforcer made the £45million switch to the Etihad in the summer, but has made just three appearances for the Premier League champions.
Phillips was brought on by Guardiola in the dying embers of their Champions League clash with Borussia Dortmund, managing just one minute on the field. Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor believes the Whites should try to loan the midfielder in January.
Agbonlahor tweeted: "Shame to see kalvin Phillips getting 1 minute of playing time. Can’t they loan him back to Leeds for the season?"
Leeds United warned Cody Gakpo 'wouldn't suit' English football as World Cup prediction made
Former Netherlands winger René van de Kerkhof does not think English football would suit Cody Gakpo and believes he ‘can do more’ than Leeds United. Leeds were one of several Premier League sides keen on Gakpo in the summer, with them and Southampton both pushing hard in the final days of the window.
Gakpo was seemingly on his way to Elland Road on deadline day with Victor Orta in Eindhoven ready to bring him to England. However, for a variety of reasons the deal never materialised and Gakpo stayed at PSV, where he has started the season in electric form.
Gakpo is also expected to play a major role in the World Cup for Netherlands this winter, and should he impress, his value will almost certainly skyrocket. Speaking to Voetbal International, via Voetbal Primeur, van de Kerkhof is backing him to be a ‘revelation’ in Qatar, before then encouraging him to consider a move to either Spain or Italy ahead of the Premier League.
Three Jesse Marsch selection dilemmas before Leeds United's Premier League return vs Aston Villa
Astonishingly, it will be almost a month since Leeds United were in action when they face Aston Villa on October 2. Premier League postponements due to the passing of Queen Elizabeth II means the Whites must watch on while other top-flight fixtures resume.
The break does, however, afford Jesse Marsch time to assess his squad before the clash at Elland Road. Several first-team stars were sidelined for the 5-2 defeat at Brentford almost a fortnight ago and could return to take on Villa.
Could the lull in action prove to be a blessing in disguise? LeedsLive outlined three selection dilemmas Marsch must contend with before Steven Gerrard brings his side to Yorkshire.
Four Spanish clubs reportedly eye pre-contract agreements for Leeds United-linked striker
Leeds United-linked Ben Brereton Diaz is reportedly a target for four Spanish clubs on a pre-contract agreement, according to Football Insider. They claim Valencia, Villarreal, Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo are all preparing moves to sign him for next season in the January transfer window.
Brereton Diaz has less than 12 months left to run on his current contract at Blackburn Rovers and various reports indicate he is not likely to sign a new one. With the Chile international now 23, clubs from abroad are able to open talks in the winter window for a pre-contract deal.
Leeds were among a host of clubs reportedly keen on signing Brereton Diaz during the summer, making a very late play for him after their failed pursuits of Cody Gakpo and Bamba Dieng. Football Insider have also reported that Leeds could return for him in January with a new first-team striker still hot on the agenda.
Darko Gyabi verdict as Leeds United youngster handed challenge by U21s boss Michael Skubala
Darko Gyabi is thriving within Leeds United’s Under-21s ranks as he continues to make huge strides in his progression at Elland Road. That’s according to U21s head coach Michael Skubala, who has worked closely with him since joining the Whites in July.
Having completed his £5m switch from Manchester City over the summer, Gyabi is still relatively new to West Yorkshire, but in his four appearances for the youth side, he has made quite the impression. The midfielder marked his Premier League 2 debut for the Whites at Pride Park with a classy showing in a 5-2 win over Derby County, before producing fine performances against Norwich City and Aston Villa.
However, his most eye-catching diaply to date came last time out against Nottingham Forest as Gyabi scored his first goal, finding the bottom corner from distance, and claimed an assist by setting up Sonny Perkins. Gyabi is expected to be involved once more on Friday night as the young Whites look to continue their unbeaten start to the season by seeing off Southampton in front of more than 9,000 fans at Elland Road and supporters will be keen to get a glimpse of him in action.
Gary Neville says US investment a ‘danger’ to English football amid Leeds United ownership move
Gary Neville believes US investment is a “danger” to English football following Chelsea owner Todd Boehly’s latest comments. While speaking to a SALT conference in New York, the Blues chief pitched radical changes to the sport.
One of these included a north vs south all-star game each season - akin to the annual contest in the NBA. However, these proposals hit a nerve with the majority of football fans, who feel the move would be another money-grabbing exercise that would derail the modern game further.
Manchester United legend Neville has used the controversy to slam US ownership. As it stands, 10 Premier League clubs are now either wholly or part-owned by Americans.
Leeds United defender Robin Koch left out of Germany squad for upcoming Nations League matches
Leeds United defender Robin Koch has not been named in the latest Germany squad for the upcoming Nations League matches. Germany are set to face matches against both Hungary and England as they look to finish top of Group A3, with Hansi Flick’s side currently sitting second.
Koch’s last international appearance came back in June 2021 in a 1-1 draw with Denmark. He was also named in Germany’s EURO 2020 squad but spent the entirety of the tournament as an unused substitute.
The 26-year-old will have been hoping his form at the start of the new season was enough to earn a recall to his national team. Koch has played every minute of every game in the Premier League so far this season and has contributed to an improvement at the back, Brentford aside.
READ NEXT:
- Go here for all the latest Leeds United news
- Kalvin Phillips still backed to make World Cup starting XI despite post-Leeds United struggles
- Fresh potential problem emerges over rescheduling of Leeds United's trip to Man United
- Leeds United confirm 25-man Premier League squad with few surprises as academy graduate returns
- Leeds United U21s' predicted line-up for Southampton clash as key first team quartet set to play
