A look at the latest Leeds United headlines on Friday, December 23.
Wilfried Gnonto backed to make Leeds United impact
Former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan believes Wilfried Gnonto is ready to make a big impact at Elland Road after showing moments of brilliance in friendlies. The young Italian international signed for the Whites in the summer, with the club fast tracking a move for the youngster.
“I think he’s ready," Whelan told Football Insider. “Everyone has seen that. He’s had time to settle into the football club, into the environment, new teammates – and now he looks ready, and very hungry.
“There have been some real moments of brilliance in these friendlies. He’s like a firework when he gets on the ball because he’s just got so much energy. He is definitely a very exciting player and someone who can make a difference in this second half of the season.”
Kalvin Phillips' Leeds United reunion looks off the table amid Guardiola's latest fitness update
Kalvin Phillips' reunion with Leeds United at Elland Road appears to be off the table after Pep Guardiola claimed he returned from the World Cup 'not fit'. Phillips was the only member of the England squad not included in Manchester City's 3-2 win over Liverpool on Thursday.
The 27-year-old has struggled massively with injuries since his move to City and underwent shoulder surgery in September which threw his World Cup involvement into doubt. He did, however, recover quickly to make Gareth Southgate's squad and featured twice for the Three Lions in Qatar, including in the 3-0 win over Wales where he registered an assist.
There were no indications from the England camp that Phillips picked up an injury ahead of their quarter-final exit against France, with the former Leeds midfielder actually doing press in the build-up to the match. But Phillips has managed just 53 minutes of action for City this season, with only one of those coming in the league, and it looks as though he will now miss the trip to Elland Road on Wednesday after Guardiola's latest update.
Valencia transfer stance on Leeds United-linked left back reportedly changes as Torino front queue
Valencia have reportedly changed their transfer stance on Leeds United-linked left back Jesus Vazquez ahead of the January window. That is according to Gianluca Di Marzio, who claims that Valencia are now open to allowing Vazquez to leave permanently for a fee in the region of €4-5 million.
However, with that said, Di Marzio reports that it is in fact Torino who have made the first move to sign him and talks are already ongoing over a permanent January transfer. Leeds have been linked with a move for Vazquez for several weeks now but previous reports indicated that Valencia would only discuss the possibility of a loan.
Leeds are in desperate need of a player who can solve their issues at left back long-term and a temporary deal with no potential for a future transfer is not likely to be something that suits them. However, this change of stance could be the encouragement Victor Orta needs to press ahead for a deal.
Rene Maric reveals aim of Leeds United's formation change during winter friendlies
Assistant manager Rene Maric has revealed Leeds United want to be more tactically 'flexible and adaptable' during the second half of the season. The Whites were beaten 4-2 by AS Monaco at Elland Road on Wednesday night in what was their final winter friendly ahead of the Premier League's return next week.
It has been a mixed bag of performances across the three matches, with Leeds rather fortuitous to come away with a 2-1 win at Eibar, before producing a much improved display in the 2-1 victory over Real Sociedad. The first half against Monaco was arguably Leeds' best yet, but an all too familiar second half collapse at the back was a worrying sight ahead of Manchester City next week.
Jesse Marsch has used a 4-2-3-1 formation for almost the entirety of his time in charge at Elland Road so far, but has used these friendlies to experiment with a 4-3-3 as he looks to find solutions to addressing Leeds' issues at the back. Speaking to the press after the game, Maric claimed that becoming more adaptable within matches is an area Leeds are keen on improving.
Jesse Marsch given Leeds United food for thought as Mateo Joseph takes next step
Mateo Joseph has done enough to well and truly get his foot in the Leeds United first-team door, Jesse Marsch has revealed. The 19-year-old has made himself hard to ignore this season with his performances in the Whites’ Under-21s side, scoring 12 goals in 11 appearances in all competitions, with three hat-tricks coming along the way.
That form saw him rewarded with a senior debut in November, starting and impressing at Molineux in United’s Carabao Cup tie with Wolves and a Premier League bow followed a few days later at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. The league outing came as an 89 th minute substitute, but it was enough to give him a flavour of the top flight heading into the World Cup break and it seems to have spurred him on even more.
Joseph has been training under Marsch’s nose as a first-team squad member on a full-time basis since then, travelling with the team to Spain for a warm-weather training camp and featuring in all three mid-season friendlies as Leeds ready themselves for a return to competitive action. His efforts have not gone unnoticed, either, with the head coach suggesting Joseph has managed to establish himself in the first-team reckoning.
Illan Meslier latest as Jesse Marsch gives fitness update and talks Leeds United back-up plan
Jesse Marsch has his fingers crossed that Illan Meslier will be given the green light to restart training today. The goalkeeper has been suffering with a case of glandular fever and as a result, he hasn’t been seen in a Leeds United shirt since the Whites’ clash with Tottenham Hotspur on the eve of the World Cup break.
Meslier didn’t travel to Spain with the rest of the first-team and he has sat out mid-season friendlies against Elche, Real Sociedad and AS Monaco. The Frenchman has played every minute of Leeds’ Premier League campaign so far, but it seems he is now in a race against time if he is to continue that run by playing against Manchester City on December 28 at Elland Road.
He will undergo an examination today (Friday December 23) and if he is given the all clear, he will be able to restart full training with the Whites in the build-up to next week’s Premier League restart.
READ NEXT:
- Brenden Aaronson's seamless Leeds United return hailed as coach points to progress made
- Erling Haaland on song for Man City as Leeds United supporters fear meeting
- Mark Jackson leaves Leeds United with unseen and priceless legacy if MK Dons close their deal
- Jesse Marsch makes 'important' Mateusz Klich Leeds United statement as Wayne Rooney waits
- Every word Jesse Marsch said on Leeds United injuries, Mark Jackson and January transfer window
