Your Leeds United headlines for Saturday, August 13.
Merson predicts Leeds loss
Former Arsenal midfielder Paul Merson expects Leeds to taste defeat against Southampton today. Despite an impressive opening-day win over Wolves, the pundit thinks “the jury is still out” on whether the Whites can have a successful season.
Drama has surrounded St Mary’s this week, with reports suggesting Saints players expected Ralph Hasenhuttl to be sacked in pre-season. However, Merson still predicts Southampton to get the job done.
“The jury's still out on Leeds,” he wrote in his SportsKeeda column. “They managed a great result the other day, and we'll have to see if that was a fluke. If they don't want to be in another relegation battle, they'll need to get a result against Southampton.
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“I'm surprised that James Ward-Prowse is still at Southampton. He's a great footballer and he can make things happen in the Premier League. With him in the team, they'll be just about all right.
“Going by their first game, Southampton are in for a long, long season. They started well against Spurs, and they'll look to make the most of their home advantage this weekend.”
Prediction: Southampton 2-1 Leeds
Llorente on World Cup ambitions
Diego Llorente has outlined his World Cup ambitions but insists his main focus is at Elland Road. The Spaniard - who has 10 international caps - has adapted to life in England well after graduating from Real Madrid’s famous La Fabrica academy.
He starred in Leeds’ 2-1 win against Wolves on the opening day and believes continuing the good form will do his Spain chances no harm. Speaking to the BBC, Llorente said: "I’m comfortable with all the team, not just the Spanish guys.
“I think we are a good team with a lot of good people. We help each other on the pitch and off the pitch as well. I’m very happy with my teammates.
“I’m focused right now on Leeds because if I give all my best with Leeds I have a better chance to go to the World Cup. But obviously, it’s a personal goal I have but like I said right now I only think about Leeds.”
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Aaronson can be Leeds ‘hero’
Jesse Marsch believes Brenden Aaronson has the credentials to become a hit with Leeds supporters. Last weekend’s 2-1 triumph saw the American make his Premier League debut following his big-money move.
Reuniting his compatriot with Marsch - his manager at RB Salzburg - could be the key to having a fruitful impact in England. The Whites boss cited previous fan favourites when asked whether Aaronson can become a cult hero at Elland Road.
"That would be cool (Aaronson becoming a hero),” Marsch said. “With the fans, obviously Kalvin was a big, big piece to that.
"And the fans also identify very heavily with Liam (Cooper), Luke (Ayling), Stuart (Dallas), Adam (Forshaw) and Patrick (Bamford).
"And I think one of the things about all the new players that we brought in as well is that they embody the idea of what Leeds wants to see and what the fans want to see on the pitch.
“Hard work with a greedy edge, a competitiveness, a will to succeed to do whatever it takes. Brenden Aaronson has that, no doubt.”
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