Good Morning. It's Monday 4th August, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Injuries mounting for season opener
Leeds United are facing multiple injury concerns ahead of their highly anticipated Premier League opener against Everton in a fortnight. A quintet of players have picked up various knocks during pre-season, leaving their availability for the crucial fixture uncertain. Among those battling to be fit is Jayden Bogle, currently nursing a hip flexor issue. Winger Dan James and goalkeeper Lucas Perri are both dealing with knocks, while Jack Harrison has sustained a groin strain, adding to manager Daniel Farke's concerns as he prepares his squad for the top-flight return.
However, the most worrying injury appears to be that of Sebastiaan Bornauw. The defender is grappling with a calf injury, which has been deemed the most serious among the group. Manager Daniel Farke is understandably taking an extremely cautious approach with all five players, particularly Bornauw, to avoid exacerbating their respective issues and ensure long-term fitness. This string of pre-season injuries presents an early challenge for Farke, who will be keen to have as strong a squad as possible available for the visit of Everton. The coming fortnight will be vital for these players' rehabilitation as they push to be declared fit for the Everton encounter, with their recovery progress undoubtedly being closely monitored.
Does Piroe’s pre-season haul earn him a Premier League start
Joel Piroe's impressive 2025 pre-season has sparked significant optimism regarding his role in Leeds United's upcoming Premier League campaign. The 26-year-old has evidently bulked up over the summer, presenting himself in the finest form Leeds fans have witnessed.
His pre-season displays have been multifaceted and impactful. Against Manchester United in Sweden, Piroe showcased not just movement and vision but also created key chances. He followed this with a thrashed finish and a spot-kick against SC Verl, a tidy goal against Paderborn, and a close-range effort versus Villarreal. As last season’s Championship Golden Boot winner, Piroe is consistently overcoming the defences in front of him, ensuring his goal-scoring habit remains sharp.
Despite Piroe's standout form, a significant portion of Leeds war chest has been reserved for top-tier striker. with Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz still Leeds proffered choice. Fulham's Rodrigo Muniz is understood to be Leeds' preferred choice to bolster their attacking options, but first the Cottagers must find a suitable replacement. Furthermore, Leeds must navigate the risk of more established clubs swooping in to poach the talented forward, from under their noses.
Schmidt's Apathy Seals Elland Road Exit
Isaac Schmidt's lacklustre performance against Villarreal at the weekend has all but confirmed his impending departure from Elland Road this summer. The versatile Swiss international, a £2.5 million acquisition from St Gallen just twelve months ago, had previously shown enough flashes of brilliance to prompt fan criticism over his limited game time under Daniel Farke last season.
However, recent media reports have strongly suggested Schmidt has been actively pushing for a summer move, driven by his ambition to secure a spot in Switzerland's World Cup squad next summer. His display on Saturday did little to dispel these notions.
Starting brightly, Schmidt's performance rapidly deteriorated. He was frequently dispossessed carelessly, struggled to contain Villarreal's attacking threat down his flank, and conspicuously failed to prevent the cutback for their second-half goal. His lack of effort in this crucial moment has led many to question his commitment and temperament.
With Bogle sidelined for an unspecified period, this match offered Schmidt a golden opportunity to stake a claim for a starting berth against Everton. Instead, his uninspired showing suggests he shouldn't merely be out of the starting XI, but perhaps nowhere near the matchday squad itself.