Leeds United: Leeds interest in the Euros and Copa América
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00:00But yeah, moving moving on then to our final topic of the day and that is a look at well
00:06Apparently there's a small football tournament going on in Germany
00:10In the next in the next few weeks
00:15Not entirely sure what well for me, huh, that's that they're big words now
00:21Having said that though having said that if England win on Sunday, I will be you know, screaming that from the rooftops
00:30As
00:32I say, you know the European Championships is always good fun and in this occasion whilst it's not club football
00:39We're gonna be taking a look at some of the Leeds players who are going to be representing their countries. Yeah
00:44So Lee, why don't you run through the list if you go with you? Yeah
00:49Well, it's a quick list unfortunately because it's only three and obviously and there was a time
00:53You know when officer in the Premier League where we were talking about
00:55Tournaments and you were sort of getting towards double potentially double figures and stuff and certainly on international breaks
01:00But I mean essentially they've only got like well one like player from last season really which is Liam Cooper who we've just talked about
01:06And I suppose with him and his future. I mean, you know
01:10Who knows who knows how Scotland will do, you know, I mean that could change things, couldn't they?
01:15Tomorrow night first, you know
01:18And he features heavily so obviously we've got Liam Cooper with Scotland and then the other two
01:22I mean to be honest
01:24It almost changes things a little bit with with Aronson coming back because the other two players are
01:29Players that exited the scene on loan relegation release clauses last season in Max Verber with Austria and Rasmus Christensen with Denmark and
01:38Two players who you know, basically you just thought well, you know, they've gone out on loan and you know, that's it
01:44They won't play for Leeds again
01:45And you know
01:46I can't sit here and tell you that that's not going to be the case because it might well still be the case but
01:50The fact that Aronson's come back. It does make you wonder. Well, will that happen with anybody else?
01:53So so I mean from that aspect it certainly I suppose does have a bit of interest into watching them
01:58So Verber's with Austria, obviously
02:00Who could get England I think in the last 16 as one of the third place teams
02:04So we might end up seeing a battle against him and then Christensen's obviously with Denmark who are in England's group
02:10So we'll definitely see England against him. So yeah, so they're the ones to watch really
02:15Obviously
02:16It goes about saying that all three of them, you know representing squads teams that are big prices
02:22And you know aren't particularly fancy to go deep in the tournament
02:26But I mean we've seen with the Euros before that there can be surprises
02:29So that's doesn't mean that's not necessarily going to be the case and whatever happens
02:33They'll all have the three group stage games. And as we know like, you know, I think it's is it the four?
02:39Best third place teams go through so yeah
02:42Yeah, so actually
02:44It's probably harder to go out than it is to
02:48Exactly exactly words right out of my mouth. Yeah, so so, you know wouldn't be surprised if you know, as I say
02:53Well any of them three maybe all three got through to the last 16
02:56So wait and see gives a nice bit of interest alongside obviously
03:00cheering England hopefully on to glory will come to that in a minute with
03:03What we think on that but also it's you know
03:07You've also got the Copper America and obviously the Brendan Aronson situation means obviously adds a bit of interest into that because
03:13He's obviously aware of the USA squad and the USA host to Copper America
03:17And as the host nation, they're stalling about I don't know about fancied, but obviously
03:22You know, you probably fancy a home nation's chances more when they host it ie Germany in this case in the euro
03:28So, you know, they'd up they'd you know be optimistic in that and so he's away with them
03:33Argentina and Brazil are obviously the two big favorites for the Copper America
03:37But yeah
03:37so we've got basically the three leads players to follow at the euros plus Aronson at the Copper America and they're all on the same
03:43time and an interesting sort of side note to the Copper America is that the USA have been drawn in the same group as
03:48Uruguay, which is obviously you're obviously managed by Marcelo Bielsa
03:51So that's going to be an interesting one and to all extents and purposes
03:56They're going great guns with the Bielsa ball football. So that'll be an interesting watch as well when they play each other
04:01So yeah, there's definite interest as I say, not as much as
04:05Would might have been would have been the case had leads, you know, never got relegated
04:08But there's no point thinking about what ifs it's just good to sort of have internationals and hopefully in years to come
04:12There'll be many many more. So yeah plenty of interest to to keep us going there
04:18Let's just hope someone like Verber or Christensen doesn't you know, so
04:22Come back and haunt England by producing something that you know damages it for the three lines attempts
04:27But um, I don't know what you think
04:29I mean first and foremost of England is get out the group and I think it'd be you know
04:32I mean, they should they should they should win it and that should win the group
04:34To start us they should I mean, obviously if we if we look back to last last Friday
04:40It wasn't wasn't brilliant at Wembley against Iceland. In fact, it was no
04:45To be frank
04:48Although I temper that with a little bit of
04:53Caution friendlies you can't read a lot into them. Can you know?
04:57And I mean obviously the worry is the fact that it's it's Iceland and and I think a lot of comparisons were made between
05:04What happened in Nice in 2016 and what happened that night in Wembley just last week. So
05:12Try not to look too much at that as I think you're rightly England have to go and get out that group very very easily
05:17or at least as
05:21As stress-free as possible, you know, I that whether that be three wins or or two wins in a draw
05:27As they have done recently and you know the tournament so yeah, I think for England
05:33It's it's good today. I mean, there's a report coming out that John Stones has trained again today
05:37Of course, he missed training yesterday because of a sickness bug
05:41And so England were worried that obviously they're gonna have to start Lewis Dunk alongside Marque for the Serbia game
05:47but that now doesn't look so likely because
05:50Stones already missed one day of training that and is back. Yeah, so that's good. But then I
05:56Think my worry is it's it's the midfield to be honest
05:59I mean, obviously the defense isn't as as much as Harry Maguire
06:03Let's be honest hasn't been pretty too much to say for some time
06:06His performances his performances in an England shirts have been good to be honest
06:11And he always seems to deliver on the international stage. So that I mean, obviously you've got marking instead
06:18So that sort of picks itself Luke Shaw
06:21Probably won't come in and so maybe group game two or three. Yeah, I give it an injury
06:27So it'll probably be Kieran Trippier who starts at left back. It's way to be the right back with Kyle Walker on the right
06:33And that's the midfield. It's it's obviously you've got Declan Rice
06:36And then do you play forward in the three with Bellingham and then sacrifice the defensive midfielder?
06:43Or do you then put forward on the left?
06:46And then have a say in Adam Wharton or it could be Maynard or try Alexander Arnold
06:50Yeah in that midfield three that obviously before we got Bukayo Saka on the right with with Harry Kane
06:56Up front. So how does how does it look for you going forwardly in that midfield to free Aaron?
07:02I think you have to play Foden as a 10 really
07:05I mean because I mean he's such a talented player and every time you know towards the end of the season when he started to
07:09Move into that role, you know, that's you know
07:11He said himself that he's just loving the role and you know
07:13That's to be along that and obviously Kane goes about saying up front
07:15So those two and then it's just what you do with the others behind, isn't it really?
07:19But I think you've probably gone through it pretty well there
07:20That's probably that's probably the way I'd see it as well in terms of the midfield as well
07:24But I'd say like obviously just just play Foden as a 10
07:28And then obviously does that mean then potentially playing Bellingham a bit deeper?
07:31So yeah, Bellingham alongside Rice mostly
07:34Bellingham alongside that would probably at the top of my head
07:36That's probably the way I would see it
07:37Bellingham and Rice almost as like a not a double pivot, you know what I mean?
07:41But obviously like the two centre midfielders
07:43And you probably are Bellingham playing a bit more advanced to those two
07:45Foden ahead of them both as like a number 10
07:48And then obviously you have your two players out wide
07:50So you have Saka on one side and what do you have?
07:52Probably be Anthony Gordon if Foden's playing
07:55If Foden's playing as the number 10
07:58Your best left wing after that is probably Anthony Gordon
08:02Or do you play Palmer? That's the other thing as well
08:04I'd say Palmer's probably better off the right
08:07He played on the right against Iceland to be fair
08:10Yeah, so they're all movable parts
08:12Obviously where it depends on where one player plays
08:14Where the other one plays
08:15And there's no doubt they've got enough attacking talent to do the business
08:17But I'm with you really
08:18The worry obviously is, you know, the defence really
08:21When you look at the options, especially like, you know, reading the reports this week
08:24About Jon Stones not training
08:26And if you think suddenly if he's out as well with Maguire
08:29Then obviously, you know, like what other options are there in terms of like solid experience?
08:33And so that's going to be the worry
08:34But I mean, I would think with that group
08:36I mean, I don't want to put the mockers on it
08:38But I would think with that group
08:39They should realistically come through it quite easily
08:41I get the Iceland friendly was awful
08:43But it was, you know, it's a friendly, isn't it?
08:44And stuff
08:45And there's also been a stat where no team has ever won the Euros
08:48No team's ever won a major international tournament
08:50After losing their last friendly ahead of it
08:51Which is like, you know, not a good omen
08:54And that's not surprising really
08:55Because obviously teams would probably, you know, that win it
08:57Would always go into it in good form
08:58And you couldn't say that on England on that performance
09:00But yeah, I think they'll get through the group
09:03And I think they'll probably win the group
09:04And then I think as we said last 16
09:06I think it's Austria, Romania or Turkey potentially
09:10And you, you know, without counting the chickens
09:12You'd probably fancy them in that
09:14But I think you'll just come down to the nitty-gritty
09:16You know, the quarters and the semis
09:17And that's where you're going to, you know
09:18The attacking players are going to have to shine
09:20I think if they're winning the group
09:22You're talking potentially a quarterfinal against Italy or Spain
09:28And a semifinal against France
09:30I mean, so, you know, assuming all the favourites win the groups
09:34And that's what it's going to come down to
09:35And basically if it comes down to those games
09:37Assuming they get that far
09:38Then the attacking players we talk about
09:40However you line them up in whatever way, shape or form
09:42They're going to have to shine, you know
09:44So, I don't know, I don't know about it
09:46I can see why, I mean, they're obviously short-priced favourites
09:48I mean, you know, we've all sort of like had a little bit
09:51Sort of like, you know, couldn't believe how short they were
09:54England 11-4 favourites
09:55And there's a big debate about whether they should be favourites
09:59I mean, I can see why they are because of the squad
10:01But then again, you know, look how many times it's not happened
10:03In international tournaments before
10:05So, I would suggest based on that
10:07That probably someone like France are more likely a winner
10:11But that's not to say it can't happen
10:13So, yeah, I mean, by the next time we do one of these
10:16It'll be, you know, we'll be well into the tournament
10:18So, let's hope it's still alive
10:19I was going to say, yes, there'll be a short break
10:21From these podcasts and videos for a little bit
10:24Because of course, well, let's be honest
10:27Me and Leo are both going on holiday
10:30Yeah, and of course, you know, whilst the Euros are on
10:33There's not as much club interest to talk about as well
10:36So, we'll be lacking a bit, of course
10:39By the time we come back in a couple of weeks' time
10:40The transfer window will be into full flow
10:43And there'll be things happening as well
10:46Yeah, pictures before we know it
10:48Exactly, pictures coming out, lots to talk about
10:50So, yeah, so
10:56Lee, if we end on this, can England do it?
11:01I think so, yeah, definitely
11:03I mean, the bottom line is
11:04We're trying to link these two together almost
11:06Well, obviously, because it's the Euros
11:08And it's a massive tournament
11:10The fact is, which is a nice little link to finish with possibly
11:13Is that both Leeds United and England are favourites
11:15For the two things we're talking about
11:17So, Leeds are favourite for next season's Championship
11:19And they're not just favourites
11:22They're fairly clear favourites, Leeds
11:25I mean, we talked about this when the prices first came out
11:27They've gone down to about 72 now
11:28And Burnley are about eight
11:30That's, you know, that's starting to...
11:32It's not quite Leicester levels
11:33When they opened the betting for the Championship last season
11:35But it's pretty clear favourites that
11:37And England are favourites for the Euros
11:38As well as we've just said
11:39So, yeah, they can both do it
11:40I mean, what an amazing double that would be
11:42If we can look back in a year's time and say
11:44England won the Euros and Leeds won the Championship
11:48With Leeds, all that people will care about
11:51Is that they get out of the division
11:52If it's first, if it's second, if it's playoffs
11:54But I don't think we want to be talking about that
11:56After the recent memories of Wembley
11:57So, forget that
11:58Let's just go up top two
12:00With England, I just don't know
12:01Honestly, I really don't know
12:02I can see why people would fancy them
12:04I can see why they wouldn't as well
12:06They've got the players to do it though
12:07That's for sure
12:07So, yeah, just keep your fingers crossed
12:10That both sets of favourites
12:12Both are favourites and that both justify their positions
12:14At the head of the market
12:16Well, yes
12:16I think that's a probably a good way to end
12:18As I say
12:20Just actually, just finally
12:22Who do you have more confidence in of those two players?
12:25Out of those two?
12:27That's a very good question, isn't it?
12:30I would have more confidence in
12:34I would have more confidence in Leeds going up
12:36Than England winning the Euros
12:37That's probably a good way to answer it
12:39Because in terms of Leeds going up
12:41They could finish first or second and get it done
12:44And obviously, you know, it's common sense
12:46That's two positions to fill, isn't it?
12:48So, and even then you'd have the third bullet
12:51As Daniel Farker called it of the playoffs
12:52I wouldn't even, I wouldn't
12:54I wouldn't even say much
12:55And I would think really
12:57Everything will depend on the summer
13:00But with Leeds and the Championship
13:03There's a general consensus that next season's Championship
13:06Will be a lot weaker than the one that they've just finished in
13:09And I can see why people would think that
13:12Obviously, you won't have Leicester to deal with
13:14You won't have Ipswich, who are a revelation to deal with
13:17And you won't have Southampton to deal with
13:18The three teams that are coming down
13:19Have got various problems of all been used to losing
13:22You look at the teams coming up from League One
13:24Can you see them, any of them doing what Ipswich did?
13:26I mean, maybe, you didn't think so with Ipswich
13:28But it should realistically be a slightly easier division
13:31Not easy, but maybe not as difficult as the last time
13:35And obviously, you've got the Red Bull investment
13:37So Leeds should be in a decent position
13:40We all fully expect a few of the stars to go
13:42Or at least a couple, you know
13:43Maybe Somerville's probably the top one, I would think
13:44But if they can replace him, assuming he goes
13:46And line up with a decent squad
13:47They should, they should realistically
13:49Have a very good chance of getting it done next season
13:51And with England, well, England's England, isn't it?
13:55So we just, we just, we're just waiting to see
13:57England are indeed England, Lee
13:59I think that's a really good way to end it
14:00As I say, all the hopes and dreams we may have
14:05May just come crashing down in a few weeks' time
14:07But let's hope that's not the case
14:10Anyway, thank you all very much
14:12Yes, figures cross indeed
14:13Thank you all very much for listening and for watching
14:15However you're consuming this podcast
14:17As I said, just a few minutes earlier
14:20Myself and Lee will be taking a couple of weeks' break from this
14:23To digest the Euros, to digest our holidays as well
14:27And then we'll be back as the pictures are out
14:30The transfer window starts to kick in
14:32And the Euro starts to come to a close
14:33And then pre-season starts to come onto the horizon
14:36The football literally never ends, Lee
14:39Literally, it never ends
14:40Non-stop, that's the way we like it, right?
14:42Exactly, we have about two weeks to recoup
14:44But that's about it
14:47Anyway, we will see you then
14:49Enjoy the Euros for now
14:50And we'll be back very soon
14:52Thank you all for listening or watching
14:53And we'll see you then
14:54See you then, cheers