The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Friday 10th November) Rodon's not going anywhere
Good Morning. It's Friday 10th November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Rodon's not going anywhere
Leeds fans breathed a sigh of relief after Daniel Farke assured them that Joe Rodon was not going to get recalled in January. Speaking on his pre-match press conference, Farke was adamant that his stalwart centre back was not returning to Spurs in January, amid speculation surrounding the 26yo.
Tottenham have had a miraculous start to the season, sitting second in the top flight, a point shy of Manchester City. Recent suspensions, and injuries, including a lengthy lay off for star defender Micky van de Ven prompted speculation this week that they may recall a rejuvenated Rodon, and bring him back to North London. When asked whether Rodon would stay at Elland Road beyond January, Farke replied...
Joe will stay with us. He’s an important player for my plans and it is important we have stability. I am happy and pleased with his development, he has to keep going and that’s important. So far so good but it is always about the next game. We have to make sure we are there with good performances and he has been brilliant so far.
Adiós Roca
Spanish media outlet Estadio Deportivo have claimed that Real Betis have a €12m (£10.4m) option to make the Marc Roca deal permanent next Summer, though much will depend on how Leeds perform this season. Roca, a £10m purchase (plus add ons) from Bayern Munich 17 months ago is settled, and loving life back in Spain, and doesn't want to return to West Yorkshire, even if Leeds win promotion. According to Estadio Deportivo, Leeds have a verbal agreement with their Spanish counterparts that if they remain in the Championship, they'll sanction another season long loan.
Farke refuses to get drawn into Gnonto speculation
During his pre-match press conference yesterday, Leeds gaffer Daniel Farke refused to get drawn in, on speculation surrounding wantaway winger Wilfred Gnonto.
Multiple media reports have once again resurfaced, suggesting the 20yo wants to return to Italy, and resurrect his career. Gnonto has not had the easiest of times lately. He went on strike after Leeds refused to sanction a move to Everton during the Summer, then broke his ankle against Hull City towards the end of September and has had to make do with cameo appearances ever since
According to Farke, he was not willing to discuss the matter, until/unless it actually happens, and as the next transfer window is over seven weeks away, wants to focus on the games ahead. He did however share a moment where an elated Gnonto was embracing Summerville after scoring against Huddersfield recently, showing his temperament is not all bad.
I am not tempted too much to speak about the future of individual players because we had this discussion and I had to have these discussions more or less since I arrived in the first two and a half months. I was quite open because it was an important topic but the feelings right now thank God are that from the beginning of September, there is a bit of relief and we can concentrate on football.
I'm not tempted to speak at the beginning of November already about what will happen then in the future, in January, in the Summer or whatever. So at the moment, I'm just focused on my team and I want my players just to focus on so many games so we'll have so many games until the transfer window opens again in January and then so many more games until then the season is over and then it opens again then in the summer.
At least during the periods when it is closed, let's not talk too much about individual's futures. Let's just concentrate on using their values, using their skills and using their quality. We are all happy that we have these players and that we have Willy and to have him on board and they are all working together in the right direction.
I think that they are fully switched on and obviously you could see that from the performances of the players and even if they are not spending each and every minute on the pitch when I see for example how much he (Gnonto) was celebrating in the last home game after Cree was scoring goals.
Although he was just a substitute, it says a lot about his attitude at the moment and for that it's not a question about. Let's ignore all this noise and concentrate on what is important and the only thing that is important is Leeds United Football Club and wanting to be successful with this squad.