The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 31st July) - Athletic highlights German authorities double standards
Good Morning. It's Wednesday 31st July, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Athletic highlights German authorities double standards
Nancy Froston has penned an interesting article in the Athletic yesterday, highlighting the double standards made by Deutsch authorities, which saw Leeds fans banned from following West Yorkshire's finest during their pre-season tour. According to Froston, special measures were only put in place for Leeds fans; whilst supporters from Coventry City, Rangers and Aston Villa (also in Germany) were welcoming fans with open arms! Such double standards will anger the Elland Road faithful, and ask further questions of the hierarchy, as to why they didn't do more to look after their fans?
Froston states that 'the club worked extensively to provide ways around the shut-out only to hit a brick wall', but fails to give any examples of their efforts. I can't help thinking this makes the statement sound more like a PR exercise to keep fans quiet!
Leeds United’s pre-season camp in Germany was a covert operation. Its secret nature was driven by necessity rather than preference, courtesy of some head-scratching decision made by the German authorities. Far away from fans in West Yorkshire, Daniel Farke’s squad spent the past nine days at Hotel-Residence Klosterpforte — situated in the town of Harsewinkel on the outskirts of Bielefeld in the west of the country — locked into a period of hard work as they prepare for the new Championship season.
The message to fans was to stay at home, with the team’s location kept about as well under wraps as anyone can keep anything away from the detectives in the United fanbase. Neither of the two friendlies, against Hannover 96 and Schalke 04, were made available for supporters to attend on the instructions of German police stretched too thin in the wake of Euro 2024. It seems a fair request if you skate over the fact that Coventry City, Rangers and Aston Villa will play games in front of fans in Germany this summer, as well as the fact that Leeds worked extensively to provide ways around the shut-out only to hit a brick wall.
A case of one rule for some and another for Leeds, not that it will have stopped the most optimistic travellers from making the trip anyway. In the relative quiet, there was still plenty of work done by Farke’s team and much learned from the camp and the two victories against Bundesliga 2 promotion hopefuls."
Terriers free agent linked with Elland Road move
Brahima Diarra is the latest midfielder to be linked with a move to Elland Road this Summer according to the back pages of the papers. The 21-year-old is currently a free agent after leaving Huddersfield Town upon the expiry of his contract this Summer. The Terriers did their best to try to keep their star player, but after their relegation to league One, Diarra is said to be keen to move up the ladder! He is currently away at the Olympics, where he's representing Mali.
Domestically, Burnley, Hull City, and Leicester City are keeping tabs on him, whilst there's also interest from the continent, with clubs from France and Belgium in the equation. His technical ability, pace, and dribbling skills have not gone unnoticed by Elland Road scouts, but any deal will have to wait until after the Olympics!
Whites closer to signing Ballo-Toure
Fode Ballo-Toure could be a step closer to joining the Whites after falling out with AC Milan's management, and sent to isolation to train alone. The Senegalese International left back, recently rejected a move to Turkish giants Besiktas, favouring a move back to England. He spent last season on loan at Craven Cottage, but rarely received much game time.
Leeds are desperate to sign another attacking minded left-back to provide competition and cover for Junior Firpo, and Ballo-Toure fits the mould. He has one year remaining on his contract making a move to Elland Road very much affordable, much face competition from Watford, who are long time admirers of the 27yo.