Back With a Bang
What a week it has been at LS11. You could say developments and announcements were thin on the ground in preperation for the new season a fortnight ago but since Leeds have been making a statement return off the pitch to the Premier League ahead of their return on the pitch at Anfield in 13 days time.
Liverpool v Leeds United is the type of fixture that takes you back to when Leeds were rubbing shoulders with the elite on a regular basis. Viduka’s four goals in 2001, the Charity Shield win at Wembley in 1992 courtesy of a 4-3 win and a equally classix 5-4 valiant defeat two years earlier. The 1965 FA Cup Final and Don Revie’s men finally lifting their first League Championship serenaded as Champions in front of Liverpool’s Kop.
Okay were not quite back at that level just yet, I for one would be delighted if we survive relegation on goal difference but the good times are certainly back with some mind boggling news this week.
Firstly, our beautiful new Adidas kit literally broke the club’s website and sold an incredible 300,000 on the first day alone. The minimalistic design proved immensely popular and in my opinion, although two different looking kits, spark memories of the nike/strongbow in terms of prestige against those of Diadora and Macron we all put up with and paid up for.
Gareth Southgate named his first England Squad of 2020 on Tuesday for next week’s Nations League games and our very own Yorkshire Pirlo is included. Our first England International call up for 17 years! It has long been mooted that Kalvin Phillips could get his chance for the Three Lions and well deserved too. Hopefully he can earn his first cap, but just come back in one piece Kalv!
Leeds contintued to make up for lost time this weekend. 16 years since Premier League status (tick), first England international since 2003 (tick), and have now broken thei record transfer for the first time in nearly 20 years to sign Spain’s number 9 Rodrigo for £27 million from cash strapped Valencia.
Leeds needed to add a striker but this signing from a newly promoted club will send shockwaves around the football world. Rodrigo, although not particulary prolific is class act and a signing you wouldn’t be surprised seeing either Manchester club make. Atletico Madrid and Barcelona have been interested to the tune of €50m in the past year.
Leeds needed to add a centre-back to being told to admit defeat by Brighton. Ben White was, fantastic for us last year and I for one will take him back anytime in a heartbeat but the brilliance of Victor Orta’s contact book has secured us a German international in the same mould as White for a third of the price the Seasiders were refusing.
It doesn’t seem like Leeds are stopping there either with rumours today that they are ready to pay another £30 million on Udinese’s Argentine International Rodrigo De Paul.
Leeds are back and not just to make up the numbers. It’s been 16 years since we last graced the top flight but it seems United are making up for lost time.
In less than two weeks we kick off the season against the champions with our world class manager, our already class team that stormed the Championship with our top international additions whilst looking the part in our Adidas kit. I cant wait!
By Lawrence O’Sullivan