Leeds United have four of their players representing their respective countries at this summer’s World Cup. Along with those are several former Whites involved.
Both Brenden Aaronson and Noah Okafor were unused substitutes during the USA’s and Switzerland’s first game in the group stage.
Ao Tanaka could set for a key role in Japan’s World Cup, after they lost Liverpool’s Wataru Endo to injury. Meanwhile, Gabriel Gudmundsson is a doubt himself for Sweden ahead of their opening game against Tunisia.
Tyler Adams labelled “embarrassing” by Danny Murphy following USA vs Paraguay
However, it was a former Leeds player who was at the centre of some controversy during one of the games. He was even being labelled “embarrassing” by Danny Murphy on punditry.
The USA kicked off their home World Cup with an emphatic 4-1 win over Paraguay, with two heavily disliked figures at Elland Road turning out in their midfield: Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie.
Both men had solid games during an impressive opening game for Mauricio Pochettino’s side. However, after the game, Adams was criticised by Murphy for his antics during the clash with Paraguay.
Whilst on BBC punditry duties, Murphy had this to say about Adams, as he bought a very soft free-kick.
“I was praising Tyler Adams as being a tough midfielder who gets stuck in and puts himself about, but he’s dived twice now in this game,” Murphy said.
“What is he doing? There is no need for him to go down like that; it is embarrassing. He is a great midfielder; he’s tough, and he does not need to do that.”
After Murphy finished criticising Adams, the former Liverpool and Fulham midfielder was extremely complimentary of the USA’s squad, even using Aaronson as an example of their impressive depth.
“The USA have actually got a really strong squad full of Premier League and top-level experience.
“You look across the team, and they have some great players. I mean, even on the bench, they have Brenden Aaronson from Leeds who has had a terrific season,” Murphy said.
Leeds United fans are in a tough position when it comes to the USA’s games
All of us want our lads to perform and do well in the World Cup. But, I’m sure it’s not just me who cannot find it within themselves to root for the USA, even if Aaronson was playing.
McKennie, who is clearly a talented player as proven from his time at Juventus, was nothing short of a disgrace when he played for us during his brief loan spell before returning to Italy.
Furthermore, Adams, his midfield partner, is arguably even more unlikeable. The now-Bournemouth player hinted he would stay at Leeds following our relegation in 2023 before reportedly threatening legal action to leave the club.
The midfielder was also frequently trying to provoke and get a reaction out of our travelling away fans when we took on Bournemouth back in April; however, Sean Longstaff’s 97th-minute equaliser put Adams back in his place in what was one of the most satisfying moments of the season.
I wish Aaronson all the best when Pochettino does eventually award him some minutes. So, he can return to West Yorkshire on a high. I still hope the USA go crashing out of the tournament, with Adams and McKennie ideally putting in poor performances as they do so.
And I know I certainly aren’t the only supporter to feel this way!
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