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Tre poeng og reint bur i seriestarten, på bortebane! Heilt gull, solid defensivt og; nyervervelsene Trafford og Tarik ser jo heilt klasse ut, dei spele med stor sjølvtillit!

Pga avtaler i dag måtte eg berre slå av alle varslinger, og såg nett heile kampen i opptak på kvelden i full spenning via Viaplay. Kan sova godt no, me e jammen godt igang!

For ein erfaren spelar som kjem inn, til ein relativt lav pris for ein 29-åring;
73 landskamper for Sveits, og 318 i Bundesliga; som er det meste av alle ikkje-tyske spelararar!

For ein redning av Trafford+igangsetting her!
Viktig at han får ein god start.
Og får tru det snur med DCL&co inn i pausen

Beren Cross sett årets imponerende satsing i perspektiv samanlikna med tidligere sesonger;
Once it became clear centre-back Tarik Muharemovic was going to set Leeds back around £34million ($46m at current exchange rates), the natural question was whether it would prove to be a club-record fee.

Georginio was signed in 23 for a total package that "could" rise to £35m, but it is unclear if the full potential of that deal was realised.

Informal conversations with Leeds sources about how Muharemovic's fee matched up with Rutter's never really went anywhere.

That is because, deep down they were anticipating that the deal for James Trafford would draw a line under the debate.

So it has proved.

Farke has a new goalkeeper and the club have agreed to commit more money to the transfer than any other in their history at a guaranteed £40million fee ($53.1m) before bonuses.

This is 49ers Enterprises putting its faith in a player like never before.

In 2023, during its first summer as owner, the biggest single fee was between £10million and £15m on Piroe.

In 2024, the outlays that brought Rodon and Ramazani to the club were about £10million each.

Last summer, after promotion, Stach and Okafor commanded fees between £15m and £20m.

Muharemovic and Trafford are on another level entirely.

As the club prepare for their second season back in the Premier League, their top brass are flexing their financial muscles to take things to the next logical step.

Paraag Marathe, in a series of interviews in early June, made it very clear he wanted to see the bar raised for Leeds this coming season.

He also said he expected there would be fewer than the 10 signings made in 2025, but of a much higher quality.

The club's key decision-makers, Marathe, managing director Robbie Evans, sporting director Adam Underwood and Farke, have developed a reputation for making obvious, sensible decisions.

When they needed a striker in the Championship in 2023, for instance, they signed the division's best in Piroe.

In 2024, after a loan campaign as one of the club's best players, they brought back Rodon permanently.

In 2025, when they needed an experienced squad ready for the top flight's choppy waters, all 10 summer arrivals were aged between 25 and 28.

This summer, the club wanted to strengthen its goalkeeping ranks.

Trafford is undoubtedly the best goalkeeper in the Premier League looking for an opportunity elsewhere.

Leeds needed a goalkeeper, and it looks like they have signed the best available, producing the investment and ambition required to make it happen.

He is 23 years old, a serious contender to be England's No 1 in the future and probably walks into at least half of the division's clubs as a first-choice goalkeeper — all of which underline why Leeds feel he is worth £40m plus bonuses.

At this price, Leeds absolutely have to see elite performances from Trafford, but they will also be confident of that.

They cannot predict the future, but among available goalkeepers, Trafford looks the surest bet for them.

Anyone who followed Leeds in their 2024-25 run to the Championship title will not need reminding of Trafford's exploits at Burnley.

The Lancashire outfit matched United's 100-point haul, with their goalkeeper only conceding 16 goals in 45 starts.

It is true he had a sobering Premier League experience with Burnley in 2023-24, conceding 62 goals in 28 games as they were relegated.

But he was just 20 when that season began, and that team tried to play expansive football, which left him exposed at times.

Last season, across 17 appearances in all competitions with Manchester City, he conceded only 12 goals against an expected goals on target (xGOT) tally of 17.2

That means he actively prevented more than five strikes which ordinarily would have been goals.

Trafford has the potential to either be Leeds' No 1 for the next 15 years or a goalkeeper so good the club have to consider selling him for a hefty profit in three or four years.

In either scenario, the club feel the initial £40m investment is worth it.

Marathe has previously spoken about learning from the lessons of 2021.

He was vice-chairman under Andrea Radrizzani's ownership as Leeds responded to a remarkable ninth-place finish in the Premier League under Marcelo Bielsa in 20-21 by adding only Daniel James and Junior Firpo.

The club sacked Bielsa the next season, finished 17th and then suffered relegation in 2022-23.

The chairman knows Leeds must invest from a position of strength.

Farke led them to 14th last season, but their form since December 1 was the seventh-best in the division.

Marathe, Farke et al know it would be a grave error to presume the same group of players can replicate those performances and results without any reinforcements.

Wilson, Muharemovic and Trafford are proof of Leeds ensuring they will not stand still.

Leeds will strengthen further this summer.

Julian Brandt, the Germany international, was one target the club considered for the No 10 position before he chose to sign for Ajax.

Players good enough to start on the left wing are also on the agenda.

Beyond that, back-ups could be added at centre-back, left wing-back and striker.

Transfer windows are a time for optimism and hope for most football fans.

Trafford only feeds that for the Leeds faithful.

#BCross

Fint intervju med Farke i statane; både om mentaliteten, opprykket og målene framover.
Håper han forlenger kontrakten snart!
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6vGnJFX_Lnk

Gelhardt til Birmingham?
Usikker på kilden, men 9 mill pund må jo være bra betalt
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/18zRagPHwf/

Eg leste det samme på X, men ser ingenting fra troverdige kilder så tviler det kan stemme. 9 mill pund ville vært too good to be true

Einaste uro etter denne kampen er Gudmundsson som måtte ut;

Gudmundsson's cause for concern

The priority for Leeds in pre-season, above virtually everything else, is bringing their squad through the summer programme unscathed so Gabriel Gudmundsson prompted some cause for concern in the first half of the clash with Liverpool.

The Sweden international returned to the Leeds camp later than others after his nation's run to the round of 32 at the World Cup. However, he had to limp off in the 35th minute of this friendly.

Early in the match, the 27-year-old wing-back had contested a bouncing ball on the edge of the Liverpool area and landed heavily on his back. He required treatment and seemed to indicate he had winded himself, after rubbing the back of his head, too.

He carried on, but in the 33rd minute he sat down, off the ball, and awaited treatment, appearing to hold his right hamstring. He was replaced by Sebastiaan Bornauw and did walk off under his own steam, but looked in discomfort.

Beren Cross

Faaantastisk!! Og 2 mål på Ampadaus lange innkast🤩🤩 For et angrepsvåpen me har der!!

Å komma tilbake slik og ta ledelsen er herlig å ta med seg!!
Friskt av Aaronson igjen, og heldig finish av Longstaff.
Veldig godt å få inn DCL på topp, han er heilt avgjerande for dette laget!
Ellers har Bornaow sitt pasningsspill i pressa situasjoner imponert

2-2 DCL; han makes a major diff ja!!

Det hjelper litt på, men det er vel ikke et alternativ med å choose to buy, når det og står de har en obligation to buy? Men tar vel litt tid med å få desse pengane inn

Har vært mange spekulasjoner om Cresswell de siste par vinduene.

Nå er det klart at han fortsetter i Frankrike. Lån i første omgang med obligasjon på kjøp.
🚨 Charlie Cresswell set to take medical on Sunday ahead of joining Rennes from Toulouse. Agreement €2.5m loan fee + buy obligation €22.5m + €3m & 10% future sale. 5yr #StadeRennais deal on completion - would be 2nd highest #Toulouse sale
@TheAthleticFC
https://x.com/David_Ornstein/status/2083547949401837842?s=20

...og da lurer en vel på om Leeds får noe (ved et salg):
🚨 Former Leeds United defender Charlie Cresswell has moved on loan to Rennes from Toulouse with an option to buy.

If Rennes choose to buy at end of season for €22.5m, Leeds United would get around £3m with their 15% sell-on clause.

#LUFC
https://x.com/Leeds_Centre/status/2083551584592490970?s=20

Trafford blir visst tidenes dyreste keeper med alle salgssummene lagt sammen, totalt solgt for 95 millioner pund om/når signaturen er på plass for Leeds:
🚨🧤 Once James Trafford's transfer to Leeds United is officially completed, he will become the most expensive goalkeeper in football history.

The England international is set to break the all-time transfer record for a goalkeeper, surpassing previous benchmarks in a landmark deal.

The move highlights Leeds United's huge investment in one of England's most highly rated young shot-stoppers as they strengthen their squad for the future. 💰📈

David Ornstein på X!
Leeds United on verge of completing agreement with Manchester City to sign James Trafford. Deal for #MCFC goalkeeper worth £40m guaranteed fee plus bonuses - 23yo England international's transfer to #LUFC now in process of being finalised @TheAthleticFC

Herlig å komme i gang med Leeds-kamper igjen!
Eg fekk halvveis fulgt kampen her i Mexico city, mellom et par tequilas på dansegolvet, og alltid kjipt med tap men godt preseason er skikkelig i gang!
Fine intervju og highlights på LUTV, gull å ha Wilson igang, og Longstaff kan bli god å ha i år

Gratulerer med kvartfinale folkens, heilt spinnvilt bra prestasjon!
Vår Leedsfødte spydspiss leverer igjen men Nuland må få MOM; For èin kamp og for et overbevisande VM! + kontraktsløs..; kanskje eit varp av Leeds?

Tanaka satt på benken i heile den første kampen, men spilte heile kampen i natt (4-0 mot Tunisia) til tross for 5 gjennomførte bytter!
Blir spennande å følga Japan vidare

The Athletic skriv det samme:

Manchester United are considering a move for Karl Darlow as they search for an experienced backup goalkeeper. The 35-year-old's contract with Leeds United expires at the end of this month and so he would be available on a free transfer. Leeds want to keep Darlow and are expected to offer him a new deal. United have also discussed Wolves' Sam Johnstone as an option. Seb Stafford-Bloor, Laurie Whitwell, Beren Cross

Darlow til Scum?


Ben Jacobs
@JacobsBen
Karl Darlow is an option for Manchester United as they search for a back-up goalkeeper, as @TheAthleticFC called.

Darlow's Leeds United contract expires this summer, although Leeds are trying to extend his current deal.

As reported, Manchester United keen to add another keeper.


auren

Greien med Darlow er vel at hvis det er snakk om 2.keeperrolle vil Tottenham/ManU kunne tilby bedre lønn. Det er vel attraktivt for de klubbene at han karakteriseres som homegrown også. Men hvis Darlow, landslagskeeperen, øyner en fortsatt førstekeeperrolle er vel Leeds mer attraktiv - større sjanse for å utkonkurrere en førstekeeper også der. Det har han klart i to sesonger på rad nå. Samt at halve førsteelleveren er i den walisiske landslagstroppen. 

Det handler vel om hvilke signaler Darllow får fra klubben.

Det blir ingen retur til ER for vår homegrown 40-åring James Milner som annonserer at han legger opp i dag.
Tidenes mestspelande PL-spelar med 654 kamper uttaler seg;

Posting on his Instagram account, Milner said: "After 24 seasons in the Premier League it feels like the right time to bring an end to my playing career.

"From making my debut for Leeds United, who I supported growing up, at the age of 16 and becoming the Premier League's youngest scorer, I could never have dreamed of the journey I've been on, right through to not being able to lift my foot last year and then coming back to be part of Brighton qualifying for Europe for the second time in their history at the age of 40."

1 mål til Leeds og 12. plass foran Newcastle og Everton hadde gjort seg 🤞🤞🤞

Om ein skal tru på lekkasjene, så blir det ingen tur på DCL nei.
Leit for han, men kan nok være positivt med full pre-season.
Overraskende med Toney tilbake, dette er vurderingene for det valget i the athletic;

Calvert-Lewin misses out, despite impressive season

By Leeds United correspondent Beren Cross

How do 14 Premier League goals compare with 32 in the Saudi Pro League? Thomas Tuchel has given his answer with Dominic Calvert-Lewin's omission from his World Cup squad.

Ivan Toney, it seems, has taken the slot Calvert-Lewin would have hoped to fill for England this summer. They are both experienced and have the physical attributes to be a target man for Tuchel, but their goal tallies in 2025-26 have been wildly different.

Calvert-Lewin was delighted to be recalled by Tuchel for the March camp after an impressive season with Leeds United. He has finished the campaign strongly with five goals in eight outings in all competitions, too.

In the rare event England need an alternative to Kane, either due to injury or late in a knockout game, Calvert-Lewin offered something demonstrably different and an aerial target if they had to go direct in a game they were chasing. As Tuchel may explain tomorrow, he's preferred Toney in that role.

The Athletic skriver i går at Freiburg har tatt kontakt om availabilityen til Gnonto.
Håper på meir interesse, ser ikkje at han tar PL som ein starter iallfall. Kan bli god avkastning ift PSR siden han ble henta for ca £5million.

Dette betyr at Leeds sin siste kamp mot WH kan bli heilt avgjerande for kven som rykker ned.
En WH-seier og Everton-seier mot Spurs hadde blitt tragikomisk. Spurs som skulle inn i ultrakyniske Superleague..

Men no blei det 2-1:o

2-0 Chelsea.

Tenk at dette Spurs laget mest sannsynlig holder seg i PL.

De står altså på samme poengsum de fikk på 38 kamper forrige sesong.
Sjokkerende.

Ein herlig liten detalj som må nevnast er at det var jo sjølvaste Sam Byram som var nest siste Leeds-spelaren på målet, i det som riktignok var ein feilpasning;
Perfekt avslutning på Leeds-karrieren for han og!:)

14.plass nå kontra nr 16 ved tap.

Det er bare å stå på videre, Leeds.

Men vi må ha nye krefter fra start i neste. For mange som sleit i dag...

14. plass i ligaen ser ikkje dårlig ut, og berre 5 poeng bak 9. plassen.
Med 3-4 solide signeringer i sommar kan dette laget bli veldig gledelig å følge den kommende sesongen!

Boro-Southampton 0-0 i første semi playoffkamp, med Luke Ayling som MOM ifølge Fotmob; han leverer enda!

Fantastisk!
Spurs tapte, og kapteinen Romero forlatte banen gråtkvalt pga skade.
De ser veldig usikre ut med ny manager og, er enda 3 poeng bak oss (med -11 i målforskjell nett som oss);
Håper me har fått poengene som trengst før besøket til Spurs stadion 11. mai🤞🤞🤞

«FULL-TIME: NOTTINGHAM FOREST 1-1

As Spurs are still losing at the Stadium of Light, it seems that Nottingham Forest have decided to settle for a point. They were going full gas for a winner, but a few sharp counters from Villa have led to a little more caution.»
- Fotmob

Heilt fantastisk!! Sland kjøre på og Spurs ser veldig shaky ut.
Og 1-1 for Forest;
Om desse resultatene held seg så er Leeds nr 15 enda, med 1 kamp mindre spilt enn motstanderene, då må dommedagsprofetiene roe seg eg døgns tid iallfall

.., men 11 minutter tillegg:x pga 2 skader, men det er Sland som presse melt på for 2-0 enn redusering

Heilt fantastisk!! Sland kjøre på og Spurs ser veldig shaky ut.
Og 1-1 for Forest;
Om desse resultatene held seg så er Leeds nr 15 enda, med 1 kamp mindre spilt enn motstanderene, då må dommedagsprofetiene roe seg eg døgns tid iallfall

For ein viktig søndag!:o
Spesielt for Spurs sin del: enormt press på de under streken!
Første kamp fo ny manager oppleves litt som do or die for laget. Om De Zerbi starter med tap i dag så blir det totalt krisestemning; da kan den dårlige poengfangsten fortsette og Spurs ødelegger for seg selv/redde oss