Leeds United: Liam Cooper expects to leave Elland Road amid contract situation – Phil Hay
According to Phil Hay, Liam Cooper has no plans to ask for a contract extension from Leeds United at the end of the current campaign.
Following his challenging performance in the 2-2 draw with Watford following the international break (March 29), the Athletic’s Whites reporter stated on The Square Ball on April 5 that the Elland Road skipper is “coming to the end.” The 32-year-old appears to have no illusions about his future.
The Scotland international started at Vicarage Road for the first time since New Year’s Day, and his inclusion in the Championship XI at kickoff highlighted the problem of splitting Ethan Ampadu and Joe Rodon at center-back as Leeds lost a league match for just the second time in the previous two seasons.
Hay stated (4 minutes and 45 seconds): “I didn’t think Cooper was solely to blame for the two goals, but Watford’s second goal in particular was obviously a complete mess, and he is now nearing the end.”
“There is just no reason to move away from Ampadu and Rodon at the back, and I don’t think he has any expectation that there will be a new contract at the end of this.”
“[Pascal] Struijk would be doing very well to move Ampadu out of that left-sided slot even if he hadn’t had surgery and wasn’t out for the season.”
Leeds United captain’s set to end under Daniel Farke?
The fact that Cooper is expected to quit the team is maybe not shocking, especially in light of the fact that Farke has already made progress with Luke Ayling.
The centre back is one of three 32-year-olds who have been mainstays of the Elland Road team for years, but their contracts are about to expire. Ayling has left, Cooper is reportedly leaving, and Stuart Dallas is attempting to make a comeback after two years out due to injury before a decision is made.
Few of the elements that were so successful under Marcelo Bielsa are still there, but under Farke, a new generation is flourishing.
While Cooper has contributed much to Leeds United over the past two seasons, his impact on the pitch has diminished due to injury concerns that have prevented him from playing a regular part in a fragile Premier League defence. This season, in an increasingly strong Championship one, Cooper is likely fourth choice if everyone is healthy.
The moment has come for the captain to leave, even if Charlie Cresswell would still benefit more from the minutes he has been receiving. This is especially true if the team returns to the top level the following season.
In a related development:
Leeds United dealt £11m blow as Middlesbrough boss ignores £2m transfer talk
the most recent information about the Championship, including updates from Coventry City, Leeds United, and Middlesbrough.
Borussia Monchengladbach is said to have decided not to sign Whites defender Max Wober on loan, so Leeds United may lose out on a £11 million cash boost.
The £9 million deal for the former RB Salzburg and Sevilla defender saw him join Leeds in January 2023, but he was unable to keep the Elland Road team from being relegated to the Premier League. Wober joined Monchengladbach on a season-long loan last summer after attracting interest from several teams, and he has had mixed results while in Germany.
Following his transfer to the Bundesliga team, Wober made the following statement: “Borussia is a very traditional club that I have always found to be very interesting and that I liked to watch, especially because many Austrians played here.” I am really excited about this work because it is so appealing.
This season, the Austrian international has made 24 appearances across all competitions, and it was generally anticipated that he would finalise a permanent move to Monchengladbach this summer for £11 million. After reevaluating their summer transfer intentions in the aftermath of their recent German Cup loss at the hands of Saarbrucken last month, the Bundesliga team reportedly believes they can get “better for less,” according to German publication Rheinische Post.
Boro boss responds to goalkeeper speculation
Michael Carrick, the manager of Middlesbrough, is ignoring rumours that keeper Seny Dieng is considering a transfer to Crystal Palace or Newcastle United.
After joining Riverside Stadium in a £2 million trade from Championship rivals Queens Park Rangers last summer, the five-time capped Senegal international has cemented himself as Carrick’s go-to stopper. Newcastle, Crystal Palace, and La Liga team Sevilla are reportedly interested in Dieng due to his performance; however, Carrick has made it clear that he is unfazed by transfer rumours involving any of his players.
He said: “That’s (the speculation over Dieng) the nature of the beast. I don’t take too much interest in anything like that. We know the squad we’ve got, the players we’ve got and what they’re capable of. In terms of who is linked with who and what’s going on, it doesn’t bother me.”
Sky Blues boss assesses promotion points target
According to Mark Robins, Coventry City needs to build on the outstanding play that sent them into the Championship play-offs the previous season if they are to finish in the top six before the current campaign ends.
The Sky Blues have seven games left in the season and are now one slot and four points off of the play-off spots, although they do have a game in hand on sixth-place Norwich City. Robins has stated that his team would not be satisfied to replicate their performance from the previous season, with a pivotal final stretch to come.
Prior to the Manchester United match on Saturday, the former striker stated: “We got 13 points from the last seven games, which took us to 70 points.” That will not suffice. Although we have three more points than at this time last year, we still need to put together a strong run to contend with the top six.”
