With the new Championship season looming into view, it feels an appropriate time to inform Leeds United supporters that they can probably expect to see something different next term.
The deals done by Leeds in the centre of the park certainly point to a club looking to add a bit more drive and ambition in the middle areas.
For all of Glen Kamara’s qualities – a stable, reliable if somewhat unambitious passer of the ball – a creative influence he certainly was not. A goal threat, even less.
Kamara’s exit to Rennes, and the subsequent arrival of Joe Rothwell, may therefore be a hint that Leeds are looking to ease their reliance upon the wingers and forwards in the final third. Rothwell, in stark contrast to Kamara, is a bubbling ball-carrier who loves to drive forward from deep and unleash shots at goal.
And Dejan Ljubicic, the next man identified to continue Leeds’ midfield rebuild, also falls on Rothwell’s side of this particular Venn diagram; the Elland Road engine set to operate with a lot more horsepower going forward.
Leeds United turn to Koln ace Dejan Ljubicic
According to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Leeds failed with an opening bid of £3.3 million for the FC Koln ace.
Daniel Farke’s side are expected to return with second offer, however; Ljubicic another forward-thinking, dynamic, line-breaking midfielder the likes of which Leeds lacked throughout Farke’s first season at the helm.
Despite Ljubicic’s best efforts, Koln were relegated from the Bundesliga last term. The Austria international also has less than 12 months left on his contract.
With that in mind, you’d maybe assume that Koln would be accepting defeat on their hopes of keeping Ljubicic at the Rhein Energie Stadion.
Well, nobody told managing director Christian Keller. A welcome voice of positivity amid all the gloom hanging over the usually-joyous Cathedral City.
“I assume that Dejo will stay at FC and play a very good season for us,” the confident Keller tells Express. “I see Dejo laughing more often again. Last year, I didn’t see him playing football with as much joy as we were used to.
“For personal reasons, he didn’t have an easy time and was also repeatedly set back physically by many infections. We all know that if the mind is not well for a long period of time, it also has physical effects. I am pleased that Dejo is now feeling better again and is much more relaxed.
“Dejo can be a real difference maker for us.”
Austria ace is in no rush to leave
Ljubicic had an interview of his own with the Express this week.
And while stopping short of outwardly committing his future to Koln, he was at pains to point out that a departure was less than guaranteed.
“I’m here and I’m concentrating on the essentials, which is to perform well again,” explains Ljubicic. “I just want to give it my all in training and offer myself to the new coach. That’s the only thing that counts at the moment.
“Football is a fast-moving business. I am in contact with those responsible and my contract with FC runs until 2025. I am here and I am happy.”
“There is no agreement (with any other club). Everyone knows that I will perform well and give my maximum for the club if I stay here. For me, it is just important that I get back into the rhythm, stay healthy and find my form again.
“I like the league. I saw a lot of (Bundesliga.2) games last season too, there are a lot of good teams. I think the fans can look forward to an interesting and high-caliber league. Of course, we want to play a very good role in that.”
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