Good Morning. It's Thursday 6th November, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Recall Clause Offers Leeds a Lifeline in Ramazani Loan Gamble
During a recent Q&A, Athletic journalist Beren Cross revealed that Largie Ramazani’s season-long loan to Valencia has a recall clause. Many of the ER faithful still haven't forgiven Daniel Farke for allowing the 24yo to leave in the first place. After lighting up Elland Road last season with his raw pace, flair, and eye for goal, Ramazani was inexplicably deemed surplus to requirements and shipped off to Spain.
At first, it looked like Leeds might regret it - he came off the bench on his debut and set up a goal within minutes. But since then? It’s been a nightmare. Just 85 minutes of football across five substitute appearances, languishing 20th out of 21 in Valencia’s Whoscored ratings with a 6.17. Hardly the platform for a young talent to grow.
Cross explained that if Leeds feel Carlos Corberán isn’t giving Ramazani the development he needs, they could recall him in January - not necessarily to bring him back to Elland Road, but to ship him somewhere he’ll actually play. That last bit will sting for fans who’d love nothing more than to see him tearing down the wing in white again.
Here’s the thing: a player like Ramazani doesn’t just lose talent overnight. He needs minutes, confidence, and belief from his manager. If Valencia can’t provide that, Leeds should surely bring him back to Elland Road, stick him on the wing, and watch him terrorise defences again – for Leeds, not someone else.
Struggling on the road
Leeds travels this season have been anything but fruitful, with goals proving hard to come by once they step away from Elland Road. While their 3-1 victory at Molineux offered a rare burst of attacking prowess, which puts them ahead of Newcastle United, Nottingham Forest, and Wolves in terms of away goals scored, the bigger picture is far less encouraging.
That win at Wolves remains the lone bright spot in an otherwise barren away campaign, with Leeds failing to score at Arsenal, Fulham, Burnley, or Brighton. The lack of cutting edge in the final third has prompted growing doubts about both the tactical approach and the overall quality of their attacking play.
A glance at the numbers paints a clearer picture of the disparity between home and away form. At Elland Road, Leeds have averaged 1.6 points per game, compared to just 0.6 on their travels. Curiously, they’ve enjoyed marginally more possession away from home, but it’s how they use, or in Leeds case failing to make it count!
Away matches see Leeds pressing less aggressively, allowing opponents 15.9 passes before attempting to win back the ball, compared to 12.9 at home. This shift inevitably impacts their ability to disrupt opposition play in dangerous areas, with final-third ball recoveries dropping from four per 90 minutes at Elland Road to just 2.8 per 90 on the road.
Leeds need to improve their away form if they are to survive. Nottingham Forest and West Ham possess the quality and depth to claw their way out of trouble, while Burnley are built for a gritty relegation scrap. Leeds, right now lack that fight, and unless they rediscover it soon their struggles on the road will prove costly.