Jesse Marsch took his Leeds United side’s first pre-season training session on Australian soil this afternoon in Gold Coast. It was an open training session, with supporters being invited to watch the Whites be put through their paces at the Cbus Super Stadium, where they will face Brisbane Roar on Thursday in the first of three friendlies they are scheduled to play Down Under.
Leeds are preparing for the start of the new Premier League season, which is now just three and a half weeks away and they were worked hard on Tuesday afternoon. Players were split into groups and they completed a number of short but intense drills, all of which included a ball.
Leeds Live was in attendance to watch training and here’s a few observations.
Cooper caution
Having returned from the off-season with a slight Achilles issue, Liam Cooper is currently training on his own. The defender could be seen cut off from the rest of the pack in Gold Coast and working on a one-to-one basis with a coach.
Cooper was made to work hard and a couple of occasions he could be seen on his haunches, battling to get air into his lungs, but in the name of caution he was denied the opportunity to get involved with the rest of his teammates on the field. The issue is not thought to be a serious one and he is expected to have a role to play over the next week and a half or so in Australia, with games against Aston Villa and Crystal Palace to play after taking on the Roar.
Marsch will be keen to see his skipper overcome the concern and re-join full training with the rest of his squad as soon as possible, no doubt.
Gyabi shines
All six of Leeds’ summer signings trained at the Cbus Super Stadium and a number of them caught the eye. New signing Luis Sinisterra managed to impress with his speed and power, while Tyler Adams got about well and more than looked the part alongside his new team-mates.
However, Darko Gyabi was the man that stood out the most. The midfielder joined from Man City a couple of weeks ago and was expected to slot into the Whites’ under-21s side at the start of the season.
It seems he could be giving Marsch some food for thought, though, with his performances in training. The 18-year-old was a commanding presence in the middle of the park as he produced a couple of powerful moments in front of 300 or so Leeds fans.
James looking sharp
Dan James was another to impress in the club’s first session Down Under and he got the biggest cheer of the day as he turned his man with a deft flick before firing home from short range. The Aussie fans liked it and it certainly suggests the Welshman has returned from his summer break refreshed and ready to hit the ground running.
James had an up and down first campaign at Elland Road, scoring four goals but struggling to maintain consistency. With the World Cup around the corner, he knows he needs to be firing on cylinders and if he can find regular form in a white shirt, he could be a real weapon for Marsch.
READ NEXT:
Leeds United receive injury boost while Patrick Bamford's cautious comeback is mapped out
Jesse Marsch's verdict on Leeds United's transfer chase and where their summer business is at
Leif Davis has Leeds United dressing room backing to be Jesse Marsch's left-back solution
Leeds United exit options for Raphinha, Jamie Shackleton and Ian Poveda with Australia choice
Jesse Marsch disagrees with Kalvin Phillips-Leeds United theory and reveals first text he sent him
