In today’s Leeds United roundup, we take a look at what news has been making the headlines for the Whites. Both Marcelo Bielsa and Leeds United have won the FIFA Fair Play award after last season’s bizarre antics against Aston Villa, Noel Whelan is buzzing with the reported new deal for Luke Ayling, and Bristol City boss Lee Johnson admits he wanted Eddie Nketiah.
Whites & Bielsa win the 2019 FIFA Fair Play award
Report: Leeds and Bielsa have claimed the 2019 FIFA Fair Play award at the FIFA Football Best Awards in Milan on Monday. This comes as a result of the astonishing scenes back in April when Bielsa ordered the team to let Aston Villa equalise. Mateusz Klich put the Whites ahead as Jonathan Kodjia was down injured, with the Villa players screaming to kick the ball out of play. Consequently, the players and coaching staff then erupted into a fit of chaotic anger, as the stewards tried to calm the situation.
Villa proceeded to put the ball in the back of the net after Bielsa’s orders, and bring the game to 1-1, despite Pontus Jansson trying to tackle Albert Adomah as he slotted home.
Verdict: There can be little doubt that Bielsa and Leeds deserve this award, based on the situation itself. If Leeds had gone onto the win the game, they would have gotten closer to the automatic promotion they so desperately desired. Although, as a result of dropping the two points, Sheffield United edged towards the Premier League, eventually finishing six points ahead of the Whites.
However, the award does come in the same season that the club was fined £200,000 for spying on Derby County ahead of the crucial clash between the two, which prompted the EFL to open an investigation into the club.
Perhaps it can be argued that the Villa incident was Bielsa’s way of redeeming himself to the football community after the Spygate incident, so maybe all is forgiven… unless you’re Frank Lampard.
‘There are 50 clubs that wanted Nketiah’, says Johnson
Report: Speaking to the Monday Night Club on BBC Radio 5 Live, Bristol City boss Lee Johnson said: “I always try to sign players now where’s there is the potential on bringing them in on a permanent,
“The only one that hasn’t happened with is Tammy Abraham and we had a hot pursuit on Eddie Nketiah and that didn’t quite work out for us. Those are the two who we felt we wouldn’t be able to get on a permanent.”
Ian Wright then told Johnson: “I did tell Nketiah to go to Leeds. The thing about it is I said to him, ‘they can create and they have the crowds and everything’. I think that’s what he was attracted by.
Johnson replied: “I’m going to have to invite you down to Bristol City, aren’t I? I think Leeds are a fantastic club. They have a fantastic manager. By the way, there are 50 clubs that wanted Nketiah. That’s no disgrace.”
Verdict: It is unsurprising to see so many clubs seek the services of Nketiah. The 20-year-old has proved his goalscoring ability at Leeds already this season, netting four goals for the Whites, providing one assist.
Furthermore, Nketiah has an astonishing record for Arsenal’s youth sides, scoring 15 goals in 16 appearances for the U18’s, and then going onto bag 28 times in 38 outings for the U23’s (as per Transfermarkt).
In recent years we have seen the likes of Tammy Abraham go out on loan in the Championship and make a name for himself, as he scored 49 goals over two seasons at Bristol City and Aston Villa. So, perhaps we will see a similar situation with Nketiah.
‘Wow, we’re really going for it’, says Whelan
Report: In the wake of the news Luke Ayling is set to sign a new deal, former Leeds man Noel Whelan spoke to Football Insider, saying: “Wow, we’re really going for it. A new contract for Luke Ayling is absolutely deserved. He’s a key player, experienced, massive in the dressing room and proven in the Championship.
“He’s been the first choice right-back when fit and available under many different managers, and Bielsa obviously rates him highly.
“You need strength in depth in your squad,” he said. “Stuart Dallas has done exceptionally well but you need to have your players pushing each other, and it’s great there is going to be a real fight for the right-back position.
“Luke Ayling faces a battle to win back his place from Dallas, but that can only be a good thing for Leeds.”
Verdict: Ayling is close to returning from injury after missing the start of the Championship season. The Englishman played 42 times for the club last campaign, scoring twice and assisting six times.
In the wake of Ayling’s injury, Stuart Dallas has stepped in at right-back and has registered a 7.13 performance rating thus far, which could force a battle between the two. However, squad depth, as Whelan alluded to, is essential in the second tier with 46 games to be played in total. Therefore, signing Ayling down to a new deal, just as Dallas continues to shine will make for a very positive future at right-back for the Whites.