The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Thursday 26th June) - Reports linking Szymanski with a move to Leeds unfounded
Good Morning. It's Thursday 26th June, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
EXCLUSIVE - Szymanski rumours unfounded
Reports linking Fenerbahçe's Sebastian Szymanski with a move to Leeds United are unfounded, according to a reliable Turkish source. The Polish international play-maker has been linked with a move to Elland Road for several weeks, with many fans believing the 26yo could be the answer to Leeds prayers in filling the No10 void!
Szymański has attracted considerable attention since joining Fenerbahçe from Feyenoord. With two years remaining on his contract with the Istanbul-based club, the player is open to exploring new opportunities. This desire for a potential transfer has fuelled speculation, linking him with clubs across Europe, particularly Leeds United.
However, the denials emanating from Turkey are consistent and firm. This morning, The Breakfast Debate spoke with an unnamed source close to the player, who stated directly that Szymański himself denied the rumours. This adds a layer of certainty to the situation, suggesting that a move to Elland Road is not currently on the cards.
Hackett defends Gnonto red card
The recent Euro U21 match between Italy and Germany has left many stunned, particularly with the decision to send off Leeds star Willy Gnonto. Keith Hackett, a former PGMOL chief official, expressed his astonishment at the referee's decision, stating that he struggled to find any fault with Gnonto's challenge on Max Rosenfelder that led to his second yellow card, ten minutes from time.
Hackett disagrees with the referee's assessment that even a foul took place, claiming the referee's decision was likely influenced by a desire to prioritise safety, given the high-stakes nature of the game and the fact that the referee is still in the early stages of their career.
Hackett's comments highlight the challenges faced by young referees in high-pressure tournaments like the Euro U21. With both players and referees still developing their skills, mistakes are inevitable, and Hackett is reluctant to criticise the referee too harshly. Instead, he acknowledges that the referee's decision was likely a result of inexperience and a desire to err on the side of caution.
The outcome of the game has significant implications for the tournament, with Germany advancing to the semi-finals to face France on Wednesday, June 25. Meanwhile, Italy's elimination from the tournament will undoubtedly be a massive disappointment for the team and its fans.
According to Hackett, speaking exclusively to Football Insider “Crikey. I’ve seen enough. I’m finding it difficult to see that as a foul. That’s not a reckless foul by the player. “As a consequence, he shouldn’t have received a yellow card, and the referee got it wrong. "You’ve got to recognise at this tournament that we’ve not only got players playing at a younger age and developing, but you’ve got referees in the same boat."