Here are your Leeds United headlines on Friday, January 20.
Jesse Marsch told Leeds United are 'outsiders' in Azzedine Ounahi race
Leeds United manager Jesse Marsch has been told that his side are 'very much outsiders' in the race for Angers SCO midfielder Azzedine Ounahi after reports earlier this week indicated they were holding off on a move.
It's believed the Moroccan international has fielded offers from both the Whites and Serie A league leaders Napoli, with other reports this month from the Italian press suggesting Luciano Spalletti's side are 'pessimistic' about their own chances of securing a deal.
However, Daily Express journalist Ryan Taylor told GiveMeSport that the 22-year-old would simply prefer to go to a club like Napoli over what has been a struggling Leeds in recent weeks.
"There are doubts as to whether Ounahi wants to join Leeds because a club like Napoli, for instance, are such an incredible sell, given what they’re doing in Serie A and the Champions League.
"I think Leeds are very much outsiders for Ounahi."
Jesse Marsch's options as he faces new Leeds United attacking puzzle to solve
Jesse Marsch will have a job on his hands when he sits down this week to decide on a Leeds United starting XI to take on Brentford on Sunday. The head coach will have an idea of how he wants his side to line-up for the most part, but he might find himself stopping to think a little harder when he gets to the attacking line.
The head coach hasn’t always had difficult decisions to make up front, but right now he has an embarrassment of riches at his disposal. The Whites’ record signing Georginio Rutter is eligible to make his debut for the club after completing his switch from Hoffenheim last week and supporters will be keen to see him in action.
However, Patrick Bamford is fit and firing on all cylinders once more with three goals in his last two games, while Luis Sinisterra made his long-awaited return to action on Tuesday night, too, adding to Marsch’s wing ranks. That’s not to mention Wilfried Gnonto and Rodrigo.
Georginio Rutter's Leeds United debut plans mapped out after rusty start in training
Six matches may already be under Leeds United’s belt since the conclusion of the 2022 World Cup, but Georginio Rutter was working to a far different timeline before he arrived. Former club Hoffenheim are only gearing up for their first match in more than two months this weekend.
The French forward’s last competitive fixture came in the Bundesliga outfit’s November 12 defeat. Like Max Wober, Rutter has come into Elland Road some way short of the match sharpness he needs.
While Rodrigo and Wilfried Gnonto are fit and firing there is less urgency in blooding Rutter sooner rather than later. However, that does not dampen the hopes and expectations of a fan base champing at the bit to see their record signing as soon as possible.
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