So a new set of questions sent in to Phil that he's gone through and answered. There's Phillips' contract, post-Bielsa plans, post-Radrizzani expectations and who might be the chicken nugget king of Elland Road.
-
So we're straight in with a question on any moves for a midfielder in January. Phil says he's not that convinced that the club will move for a centre mid in January as Orta feels that January always offers poor value for money while the club are more and more convinced that January signings don't really work for Bielsa with the time it takes to get up to his standards. Phil says if it was up to him then if the season's in hand by January he'd hold off on any major signings and bring one in in summer instead.
-
A question coming early about Kalvin's contract and whether it will keep him at Leeds past the summer. Phil says that this is the right question and that while a new contract will push his wage up to a level more in keeping with an England international but will also keep his value high. There's a lot of realism within the club about his trajectory and Phil says it feels like just a matter of time before someone bids big for Phillips. In those circumstances it's not as simple as just rejecting the offer and everyone carries on because it depends what Phillips wants, how high the bid is and whether a sale at the right time could benefit all parties if the club know how they'll reinvest the money. Of course Leeds don't want to lose him but they have enough respect for him that they don't want to hold him back and he's putting himself in the Champions League bracket of player while the club aren't there yet.
-
Phil thinks it's likely that the club hold off on providing firm details of the stadium expansion until PL football is secure for a third year, partly because planning is still at an early stage. There's a definite commitment to expanding the North, West and South stands to raise the stadium to 55,000+ capacity. Last time Angus Kinnear spoke about it he said the process would begin in earnest at the end of the season (assuming we're till in the PL). That's the process though, not the building work itself. We all know expansion has to be done. The season ticket waiting list is over 20,000 and Leeds think their annual revenue can go over £250m in a stadium twice the size that ER is currently. Phil adds that we'
So Phil's on his way back from his break and to catch up with any news that's been going on since he's been away he's opened up The Athletic's mailbag for questions once again. The first one of the season includes lots on transfers of course, bits on the youngsters and fringe players, new contracts and Phil's ideal price range on kebabs.
-
The transfer questions get started right away. Phil reiterates that the club's plan was always to pump loads of money into the squad in the first season and then rein it in for the next year or two. Basically last season's spending was to get the squad quickly up to a good PL level but isn't going to be the norm for now. Financially the plan has been a bit different this season, despite the £24m spent on Jackie and Junior. LB was a big priority and was completed early on, they have their backup GK now and are trying for another CM. In the case of Conor Gallagher, he was always going to leave only after Mount and Jorginho returned from the Euros. Says that the strategy at the start of summer was LB and CM at the top of the list and that doesn't feel like it's changed. Also says that transfer deals often work like dominos, you can wait ages for one deal to happen and once it does it then springs other deals as a result.
-
Says Leeds were disappointed not to get Gallagher but refutes the reports that he got as far as having a medical. Orta put forward Leeds' offer but Gallagher picked Palace. The links about us rescuing Lewis O'Brien from the town every dog fears are true. Thinks the relationship between Bielsa and Corberan will mean Bielsa gets all the info he needs on O'Brien. One to keep an eye on apparently, but hasn't progressed towards completion yet. A little later on he added that for Bielsa, reputations mean nothing. It's about a player's skillset and suitability and that there's a lot to like about Gallagher.
-
There was never much in the link with Metz midielder Farid Boulaya and given the interest in Gallagher and O'Brien it's evident that Leeds want to go younger.
-
Phil saw the reports of a £30m deal for Adam Traore but says according to The Athletic's sources there's no direct contact between Leeds and Wolves. Phil also says he doesn't really see Traore as a Bielsa player.
-
Asked about Jamie Shack's pre-season performances, Phil says that he's at a point where he needs a run of games. Bourn
A little different from the mailbag, Phil's done another Q&A with people firing questions at him on transfers, of course. Plenty on the youngsters at the club too, succession planning as the senior members of the squad get older and for when Bielsa leaves, as well as Phil's fruit throwing abilities and his favourite meat at a carvery. Tasty.
-
A three-part question to start us off: Phil predicts a 10th place finish, Shack to get more appearances than Cody Drameh and Leicester to have the best press food. Last time he was at Leicester apparently they had fish and chips, cheese boards, ice cream and a free bar. Basically the reason they all wanted Leeds promoted, so he says.
-
Also wants to get the Lewis O'Brien question out of the way early. Bielsa likes him and Leeds are tracking him but our valuation and Huddersfield's aren't in line. Huddersfield want at least £8m and think they can get it, Leeds disagree and haven't made a bid of that level. Things can change in a second at this point in the window though and presumably O'Brien will want the move.
-
Palace have been mentioned as interested in O'Brien and that there could be something in that or it could be an attempt to pressure Leeds into a higher bid. Orta likes Noa Lang but the fact there's been no movement on him makes Phil wonder whether Bielsa is as keen. We know Bielsa likes Kent and James (and Phil thinks he'd prefer one of those two if we sign someone for that position) but no movement on a winger at all yet. Leeds aren't likely to go for Kent if the asking price remains at £20m. Nothing being said here about Damsgaard either. A winger signing would raise questions about Helder Costa's place.
-
Says every time he's asked about any interest in Matheus Cunha, he's told it's not happening (same goes for Nandez). Noa Lang is different, no one denies that Orta's been watching him. Also says it's worth mentioning that a lot of good players around Europe can be scratched off the list when it comes to Leeds because they just won't be right for Bielsa, regardless of talent or reputation. While a player could look great to fans, Bielsa might feel completely different.
-
If Phil had Bielsa round for tea he'd do a nice, quality steak and expensive red wine, even though Bielsa's not much of a drinker. Sherry to finish. Didn't reply to a follow questio
