Good evening, Leeds United fans. Here are your evening headlines for Monday, November 30.
Llorente ‘very close’ to Leeds breakthrough
Barcelona-based sports daily Mundo Deportivo, via Sport Witness, reports Diego Llorente has returned to training and could soon be in contention to make his Leeds debut.
The centre-back suffered a muscle injury while away on international duty with Spain in October and has been sidelined ever since.
Llorente wasn’t in the match-day squad for the Whites' 1-0 win at Everton on Saturday and he’s not expected to make it back in time for the next fixture against Chelsea, with Marcelo Bielsa famously reticent to make changes to a winning team.
Leeds have kept back-to-back clean sheets against Arsenal and Everton, but Llorente’s availability would nevertheless be a big boost for the Whites.
Raphinha honoured to receive Ronaldinho message
Leeds winger Raphinha has taken to Instagram to express his delight at receiving a message of support from his “idol” and Brazilian compatriot Ronaldinho.
The former Barcelona star, a World Cup and Ballon d’Or winner, sent Raphinha a congratulatory message after his match-winning performance away at Everton on Saturday.
Raphinha, who was only five years old when Ronaldinho helped Brazil to World Cup glory in 2002, shared the video with the caption: "Very happy to receive this affectionate message... an honour to receive a video from my idol.”
Both players hail from the city of Porto Alegre, but Raphinha started out his career at relative minnows Avai, while Ronaldinho began at Gremio.
Lampard on return of fans against Leeds
The first Premier League meeting between Leeds and Chelsea since 2004 will have an extra edge, with 2000 fans permitted in Stamford Bridge for the first time since the first lockdown in March.
London has been classified as a tier two city, meaning that up to 2000 socially distanced spectators will be allowed into the ground.
But Chelsea manager Frank Lampard doesn’t believe it will have any bearing on Saturday's game.
"Will the fans coming back change it? I’m not sure they will,” he said. "We want them back anyway for what it brings to the game.
"I don’t think 2000 next week is going to change too much in terms of communication between the players on the pitch.
"Every day and every performance that passes, I think the relationships are building. I’m pleased with where we are at. We always want more, but hopefully, it will come."
