Here are your Leeds United morning headlines for Sunday, June 21.
Hernandez absence a massive blow - Bent
Former Tottenham Hotspur striker Darren Bent believes Pablo Hernandez’s absence for Leeds United’s trip to Cardiff City on Sunday is a ‘massive blow’.
Bent told Football Insider it will be difficult for Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa to replace the Spaniard’s creativity.
Hernandez has scored six goals and notched six assists for the promotion-chasing Whites this season.
“It’s a humongous blow, a massive, massive, blow. He is their creative spark, he is the one who’s got that little bit of X-factor, that little bit of magic,” said Bent. “They’re going to have to cope with that, they’ve managed to cope without him in the past so I think they’ll be alright.
“There are other players in that squad who I think they can’t afford to lose in this period, people like Kalvin Phillips, they are the real key ones – even Luke Ayling, I think if they lost him, that’s a big blow.
“I think they’ll be fine, I think they’ll be able to cope but it just doesn’t bode well for this period because I’m sure a lot of people are thinking: ‘Oh no, not again, I hope it doesn’t happen to Leeds again.'”
Phillips’ key battle with Tomlin
Kalvin Phillips’ midfield battle with Lee Tomlin could prove crucial in determining the outcome of Sunday’s clash at the Cardiff City Stadium.
As Reece Chambers writes, Phillips will be tasked with preventing the Bluebirds playmaker from gaining possession in key areas. Tomlin scored one and set up another when the sides drew 3-3 at Elland Road in December.
And Phillips will certainly want to ensure Tomlin has a quieter afternoon this around as Leeds aim to reclaim top spot.
The 31-year-old has enjoyed a fine season with seven goals and seven assists in 24 games.
However, there are doubts over his fitness given how he missed the last month of action prior to the season being stopped.
If Tomlin does start on Sunday, Phillips will be tasked with keeping him under wraps.
Leeds tracking Arsenal’s Martinez
Leeds are weighing up a potential move for Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, according to The Athletic.
Martinez is primarily used as a back-up to Bernd Leno at the Emirates Stadium but featured in the Gunners’ defeat by Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday following the German’s injury.
And The Athletic’s Phil Hay claims Martinez could be a possible replacement for Kiko Casilla should the Spaniard leave Elland Road.
Martinez previously impressed in the Championship during a six-month loan spell at Reading during the second half of the 2018/19 season.
The Argentine, who joined Arsenal in 2012, has also spent time on loan at Sheffield Wednesday and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
