There was a rather interesting line in one particular report suggesting, this week, that Leeds United were closing in on the signing of Barcelona starlet Ilias Akhomach.
And, no, it wasn’t the claim that Leeds had fought off competition from Sevilla, AC Milan and Premier League leaders Arsenal. It was the line, in Mundo Deportivo, which said the following;
“Javi Gracia, as coach, and Victor Orta, as sporting director, would have convinced (Ilias to join).”
Leeds United are close to signing Barcelona’s Ilias Akhomach
That Orta has played such a key role in luring Ilias to Elland Road will come as no surprise. The former Middlesbrough chief is, after all, the man responsible for incomings and outgoings in West Yorkshire.
Orta spoke publicly, too, about his admiration for 19-year-old Ilias in conversation with Relevo.
No, it was Mundo Deportivo’s suggestion that Javi Gracia had an equally important part to play in the teenager opting for Leeds over some of Europe’s bonafide big-hitters. Gracia, after all, is only due to stay at Leeds until the end of the current campaign.
Do reports indicating that he was key to ‘convincing’ one of the brightest young talents in La Liga suggest that Leeds are planning to retain Gracia beyond the summer? After all, it seems a little strange that the ex-Watford, Malaga and Valencia boss would even cross Ilias’ mind if there was no chance he could be handed a contract extension.
Ilias, after all, will only arrive at Leeds after Gracia’s current deal expires.
Will Javi Gracia stay at Leeds?
Whether Gracia will get a new, long-term deal is anyone’s guess. Whether he deserves one, meanwhile, is up for debate. Leeds have produced two of their finest performances of the entire campaign under Jesse Marsch’s replacement. Those enthralling victories over Wolves and Nottingham Forest.
There was also that creditable draw against Brighton; Gracia’s smart tactics limiting the attacking potential of Roberto de Zerbi’s side.
But then came the collapses at home to Crystal Palace and Liverpool. How much of the blame can be attributed to Gracia, however, is another question without an obvious answer. Was this poor management, or a coach being let down by his players? Certainly, if Leeds had possessed Crystal Palace’s ruthless, the hosts would have been over the hill and far away. Long before Roy Hodgson’s side turned a 1-0 deficit into a 5-1 advantage.
Much is uncertain at Leeds. Their Premier league status for one. The future of their current head coach too. At least, with Ilias reportedly on his way, this is something for Leeds supporters to look forward to with a degree of confidence.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
