Here are your Leeds United evening headlines for Tuesday, December 22.
£8m transfer boost received
Leeds United are in the hunt for Reading ace Michael Olise and have received a transfer boost with the news that his contract includes a release clause of £8m.
The 19-year-old has excelled this term, netting four goals and contributing seven assists in 20 appearances for a Royals side that is vying for a top-six finish and a spot in the play-offs.
Out of contract in 2022, Olise could be sold in 2021 if he does not pen a new deal and a figure of £8m is an affordable fee for a Premier League side like Leeds.
Rio Ferdiand comments on Marcelo Bielsa
Former Leeds United defender Rio Ferdinand has become the latest to heap praise upon Marcelo Bielsa, dubbing the Argentine an 'unbelievable' coach.
Expressing surprise at the nature of Leeds' 6-2 defeat to Manchester United, Ferdinand believes that Bielsa will not change his approach but feels he should have a plan B in place.
“Bielsa, who is talked about as an unbelievable coach. I went and watched him coach his team and I was blown away, to be honest with you,” said Ferdinand on his Youtube channel.
“He’s got certain ideals that he lives by and he’ll live and die by. He ain’t going to change for no-one. You have got to respect that. Yes, you need a plan b. I do always say that I do always love to see a plan b, at times.
“But when you have a system that you know works for you. You are used to it. You have got it down to a tee and you feel if we get it right then we should beat a lot of teams."
Gary Neville stunned by Leeds
Manchester United legend Gary Neville has admitted he has been left stunned by Leeds United this season and has no criticisms of their style of play.
Questions have been asked of Leeds' approach after the 6-2 defeat by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side but Neville is among those who believe nothing has to change.
“I’ve never seen a team run as much from minute one to minute 90, irrespective of the score, in my entire life watching football. They are absolutely incredible. 6-2 down, you’d see teams demoralised, thinking ‘let’s not concede a seventh’, other teams may be jaded and making substitutions.
“I haven’t got anything bad to say about it, I really haven’t. We criticise everybody, we analyse everyone to death, but they’ve just come up from the Championship to the Premier League and they’re an absolute breath of fresh air.”
