Here are your Leeds United evening headlines for Tuesday 19 May
Rio Ferdinand reflects on early fears about Leeds move
Rio Ferdinand became the most expensive defender in world football when he moved from West Ham to Leeds during the 2000/01 season, but some early setbacks made him question whether he’d made the right move almost immediately.
The Londoner was on the losing side in his first two games after the £18m switch, with Leeds finding themselves down in 12th after defeats to Leicester and Southampton, prompting Ferdinand to question his judgement.
“West Ham went above Leeds in the league, I thought ‘I’ve made a right pig’s ear of this’,” he told BBC Radio Five Live, though he admitted things eventually picked up as David O’Leary’s side reached the semi-finals of the Champions League and West Ham finished in the bottom half.
Ferdinand played 73 games for Leeds before moving on again in 2002, joining Manchester United for a deal worth around £30m.
Leeds chairman responds to praise from former club captain Lucas Radebe
As Leeds United fans wait for potential good news about the resumption of the Championship season, an exchange between the club’s chairman and one of its most popular ex-captains will give them something to smile about.
Lucas Radebe, who wore the armband at Elland Road during an 11-year stint, praised chairman Andrea Radrizzani and manager Marcelo Bielsa for their work in helping move the club closer to a Premier League return.
And it prompted a positive reaction from Radrizzani, who has a positive Leeds future in his sights.
“Thank you Lucas. We will write soon the next chapter ...keep well in SA,” the chairman responded.
Leeds are still hoping to be told they can resume the Championship season and continue their promotion push. They currently sit top of the table by a single point, and seven points clear of third-place Fulham.
French club expect Leeds to sign on-loan goalkeeper permanently
Reports in France suggest Leeds United’s on-loan goalkeeper Illan Meslier will complete a permanent switch from Lorient, despite not yet reaching the 10-game threshold which would require the Whites to sign him up.
Meslier has played three times, with two of those appearances coming in the league as he deputised for the suspended Kiko Casilla.
And now his parent club, who have been promoted to Ligue 1 after the French domestic season came to a premature end, are reportedly expecting the youngster to stay in England.
Lorient believe Leeds plan to buy the 20-year-old when the transfer window reopens, according to Ouest-France via Sport Witness.
Last month, Ouest-France’s Arnaud Huchet told LeedsLive he suspected the form of rival Paul Nardi would mean Meslier had no future at Lorient.
