The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Wednesday 13th November) - Leeds plot Firpo successor
Good Morning. It's Wednesday 13th November and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Leeds plot Firpo successor
Leeds interest in Archie Brown, the left-back from Gent, appears to be intensifying as the Winter transfer window draws near. With Junior Firpo expecting to return to Spain next Summer, the Whites are looking for a long term successor for the No 3 shirt. At 22, Brown still has bags of potential whilst closing in on 50 appearances for the Belgian Pro League giants.
His contract with Wouter Vrancken's side doesn't expire until 2027, but that has not put off potential suitors from England, including Leeds to track his progress. Brown has real pace, and is physically strong on the ball. He loves to get forward down the left flank whilst also taking his defensive duties seriously. Not sure where this leaves Isaac Schmidt, unless they keep him as a utility player
The Whites are also believed to be keeping tabs on Sunderland full-back Dennis Cirkin, though much will depend on whether the Black Cats can keep up the pace at the top of the Championship come January, and are willing to negotiate on their £15m appraisal.
Fans divided by Rothwell influence
Since being given his chance to shine, Bournemouth loanee Joe Rothwell has more than covered his costs at Leeds Utd. The former Manchester Utd rookie was thrown into action following injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ilea Gruev alongside fellow new recruit AO Tanaka. Together they have provided better attacking statistics than the defensively minded first choice pair, prompting murmurs that returning where they left off may not be as straight forward as once thought, even though many fans still see Rothwell as a temporary stop gap!
If Leeds do make it back to the top flight, they will need experience, and with over 250 first team appearances Rothwell offers consistency, reliability as well as mastering set-piece duties. Failure to build properly, and callously get rid of the stragglers can be costly, as Southampton, routed to the bottom of the Premier League are finding out! Rothwell is surplus to requirements at Bournemouth, and will be a free agent next Summer. Is he doing enough to win a permanent deal should Leeds win promotion this season?