Leeds United face their final game of the regular season today, an away trip to face Ipswich Town at Portman Road.
It’s been a fantastic season for these fans, with buckets of hope delivered by the football of Marcelo Bielsa. The Argentinian’s arrival has breathed fresh air into a stagnant side.
Last season they finished in a mediocre 13th place after a bright start turned into a disappointing end. Bielsa’s football has had the Whites flirting with automatic promotion before blips after Christmas led to what will be a promotion tilt through the play-offs.
After this season is over, thoughts will, quite obviously, turn to next season and what that will hold. Decisions will need to be made, irrespective of what league the Whites find themselves in for their centenary campaign.
One of those decisions will revolve around player situations and it is obvious that those decisions will be in both directions at Elland Road – in and out of the club. The talk has already started, including rumours of Newcastle midfielder Mo Diame joining.
35-cap Senegalese international Diame is in one of those positions where matches started will trigger an automatic contract extension of a year. To that end, the midfielder was included on the bench in yesterday’s squad for the loss to Liverpool. After the game, comments from Rafa Benitez seemed to indicate that his time at St James’ Park was up – his contract due to expire this summer.
However, it was words passed by commentator Martin Tyler during the game that have roused interest in Leeds United fans. Tyler seemed to indicate that not only was Diame leaving Newcastle but, also, that Leeds United were one of the clubs interested in him.
#lufc pic.twitter.com/gO1cfAhgFn
— thomas banks (@ThomasBanks1985) May 4, 2019
Even an off-the-cuff comment such as this one is bound to bring about some level of interest from Leeds United fans. That is, indeed, what happened; here is what some of these fans have said.
Diame linked – Leeds United fans respond
Did Mo Diame just get linked to Leeds on the commentary then?
— lufcmat (@Mathew1982) May 4, 2019
Mo Diame, talk to me @PhilHayYEP Martin Tyler says he’s coming to Leeds?
— RetroLUFC (@RetroLUFC) May 4, 2019
https://twitter.com/TigerSteel8/status/1124786395984334849?s=20
That rumour has come up again..
— Si (@LeedsInShetland) May 4, 2019
It’s not all conjecture and wishes from Leeds United fans though, some don’t think that Diame is right for the job at Elland Road.
I don’t think that Shelvey will fit the pressing style and I don’t think that Diame is technically better than Klich #lufc
— Simon Gardner (@simamuofficial) May 4, 2019
That Mo Diame rumour can get in the bin! #LUFC
— Matt Hill 🏴 (@MattyHill83) May 4, 2019
If we stay down and swap Phillips for Diame I’ll actually dropkick Victor Orta https://t.co/UY60zDyUhu
— Jake (@JakeLUFC_) May 4, 2019
