Here are the latest Leeds United headlines on Thursday, May 28.
Mendy reveals Bielsa influence in Man City move
Manchester City left-back Benjamin Mendy has revealed that Marcelo Bielsa, his former coach at Marseille, advised him to join Pep Guardiola’s project at The Etihad.
“Before I moved to Man City, I was talking to Bielsa and I asked him, 'What do you think of it?'" the France international told Sky Sports’ The Football Show.
“But what I feel is before I could even ask my question, he told me directly, ‘Go with Pep’. So I took the message and when I talked with Pep, I knew why Bielsa told me that.”
Mendy was part of a Ligue 1-winning Monaco side, alongside the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Bernardo Silva, before his transfer to City in the summer of 2018.
Guardiola and Mendy have both previously praised Bielsa for the influence he had on their respective careers, while Mendy said his current coach is similar to the Leeds manager in style and philosophy.
"They [play] approximately the same football, they like to have the ball and when we lose the ball, to do high pressing.”
Lee Bowyer reveals three Charlton players opt against training return
Players across the Championship returned to training earlier this week, but Charlton manager has revealed that three of his players decided not to amid safety concerns.
The former Leeds midfielder didn’t name any of the individuals, revealing his support for their decisions and suggesting that rival managers in the division are likely to face the same issue.
“I met the players on Saturday before we did our first test and asked them all individually, that it was their choice, did they want to come back and play the remainder of the season?” he told BBC Radio Five Live.
“Every single player I asked, and I said it was no pressure, it’s their choice.
“All but three have said yes, so that’s a good number for me. There’s no pressure, I understand everyone has different circumstances.”
Leeds were originally scheduled to host Charlton in the final match of the season. An update on potential dates has not been confirmed, but the season could potentially resume during June.
Rangers centre-back Connor Goldson the latest name to be linked with Leeds
The latest defender to be tipped for a move to Elland Road this summer is Rangers’ Connor Goldson ( per The Express ).
The 27-year-old, formerly of Brighton & Hove Albion and Shrewsbury Town, moved to the Scottish outfit in 2018 and has since made more than 100 appearances under Steven Gerrard’s tutelage.
The report states that he’s “high on Marcelo Bielsa’s wish list”, but Leeds would face stiff competition for his signature.
Championship promotion rivals West Brom and Fulham are also named in the report, as are Premier League relegation battlers West Ham.
