As far as transfer targets are concerned, Leeds United supporters have endured a mixed World Cup.
Cody Gakpo has proven his elite-level potential in Qatar, emerging as the Netherlands’ best player. Ditto Croatian warrior Josko Gvardiol. Goncalo Ramos of Portugal, too.
Three players who have all been linked with a move to Elland Road over the past year. Gakpo and Gvardiol, in particular, both publicly confirmed the Whites’ interest in recent times.
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"I thought about Manchester United,” Gakpo told Dutch outlet NRC. “But when that didn't happen, I couldn't remember and I started to doubt. Leeds United did come. Should I go there?
"Now I wait for everything. I haven't heard from Manchester United yet. When they come, I'll think about it. I also seek the help of God in these decisions."
The brutal reality is that Gakpo - who has 13 goals and 17 assists this season - will now be looking beyond a future at Leeds. Gvardiol, arguably the standout defender in the World Cup, even revealed a private conversation with former Whites manager Marcelo Bielsa.
"Bielsa personally, as well as the people from the club, called me on a daily basis,” Gvardiol said last year. "It was amazing. I couldn't believe such a big club and a great manager like him would consider me for their team. And it was always my dream to play in England too.
"It was during the summertime. I came there, and they presented me with a great video presentation of my skills, both defensive and attacking ones. And I was like 'wow, they've really nailed this. I'm moving to Leeds.' But then, I had the same feeling after meeting at Leipzig. You suddenly become more realistic once you get the offer in front of you.”
The whole world watched on as Benfica sensation Ramos, a mere 21-year-old, embarrassed the great Cristiano Ronaldo. Thrown in the side at the Portuguese captain’s expense, the youngster scored a famous hat-trick to drag his country into the quarter-finals.
Tyler Adams, a player who Andrea Radrizzani managed to get over the line in the summer, has also excelled in the Middle East. Perhaps, after all, there is a silver lining in there somewhere…
Maybe, the Leeds scouting network deserve credit for profiling the right calibre of player. The World Cup may have conjured up a “what could have been” feeling at Elland Road but the Whites’ talent spotters clearly have an observant eye.
Are Leeds handicapped by their frugal ownership model? If given the correct backing, the scouting network would have arguably assembled a side challenging for European football.
Once could be a fluke, two a coincidence… but three standout performers at the World Cup hints at a deeper-rooted problem in the Elland Road boardroom. Whichever relatively unknown wonderkid is targeted by Leeds next, be sure to snap him up before a European powerhouse does a year or two down the line.
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