Here are your Leeds United evening headlines on Wednesday, April 13.
Gelhardt issues injury update
Leeds United striker Joe Gelhardt has issued a positive injury update after a string of issues. The 19-year-old has revealed he is now back in full training ready for the Whites' trip to Crystal Palace later this month.
Gelhardt hasn't completed a full game for the Whites since Jesse Marsch's arrival and was an unused substitute in Leeds' 3-0 win over Watford on Saturday. This was after Gelhardt limped off for the Under 23s earlier in the week with a knock and was a doubt ahead of the fixture.
It has been an excellent breakthrough season for Gelhardt, who has scored twice in 14 Premier League appearances, chipping in with three assists. His latest goal came in the vital 2-1 victory against Norwich City last month.
Read more: Leeds United learn key off-season date ahead of Premier League run-in
However, after suffering a number of small injuries, Gelhardt will be looking for a consistent run-in where he can impress from the get-go. The Whites will be confident that they will be staying in the top-flight given they are nine points clear of the relegation zone with six matches to play.
When asked about his physical situation ahead of the run-in, Gelhardt told BBC West Yorkshire Sport Daily: "I’ve been getting a few knocks recently. I had a dead leg, then a dead hamstring so I’ve been getting kicked for a few games but I’m fine now and back in full training."
Barca president asked about Raphinha
During the last international break, rumours of Leeds United's star forward, Raphinha moving to Barcelona were rife. Barcelona's president, Joan Laporta even mentioned the Brazilian in an interview with Spanish media as a player that club were interested in.
However, on Tuesday, Laporta said that his side would not need a 'superstar' signing this summer. At a book launch with Ansu Fati, Laporta claimed that it was the presence of Fati amongst the Barca squad which meant they would not need a major transfer. The teenager has returned to training after a long struggle with injuries in recent times and it is hoped that he will play a major role for the Blaugrana next season.
"We already have the best, Ansu Fati. We hope to see him play soon," said Laporta as per Spanish journalist Alex Pintanel when asked if he would be signing a superstar this summer.
However, previous reports from Spain have stated that Barca hope to be able to do a deal for Raphinha in the region of £30-35million, which suggests they perhaps do not see the Leeds man at the 'superstar' level just yet. Despite Leeds' number 10 reaching ten goals in a relegation battling side on Saturday, Laporta's view of a superstar is more of the profile of an Erling Haaland, who they surely wouldn't even attempt to offer the kind of fee they are mooted to hope to pick up Raphinha for.
Whilst Barca might value Leeds' star man at a relatively low price, there is no suggestion that the Whites would be willing to accept such a price for the Brazilian. It was reported that Leeds already turned down £50million from West Ham for him in January.
Guardiola on Bielsa
Manchester City head coach Pep Guardiola has claimed Leeds United would be in the Championship if he was in charge in a compliment to the job done at Elland Road by Marcelo Bielsa. The former Whites head coach is not short of admirers and Guardiola is certainly one of them as he has spoken fondly of 'El Loco' on numerous occasions.
Guardiola also suggests the famous Barcelona side he led to 14 trophies would have achieved more had they been guided by Bielsa. As translated by journalist Juan Arango, Guardiola told Telemundo Sports: "Give Bielsa my Barcelona and see how much [more] he wins. Give me his Leeds side and we would be in the Championship."
Bielsa secured promotion as Leeds boss at the second time of asking, guiding his side to the Championship title in 2020. He remained with the club following promotion and his daring philosophy pushed Leeds into the top half of the Premier League in the 2020/21 campaign. However, the Whites slipped into a relegation battle under his watch this season and his stay was brought to an end in February.
