The rumour mill is in full flow. Players linked with Leeds have included Pompey player of the year Jason Pearce, team-mate Luke Varney, Coventry centre Sammy Clingan, Derby centre Paul Green, “Calumn Myth” on loan at MK Dons, towering Leicester centre-backs Matt Mills and Sol Bamba, and potential prodigal son Jermaine Beckford.
In fact, Ken Bates informed Yorkshire Radio:
He was offered to us to come back on a permanent basis on two occasions this season but we declined because we want to move forward.
Beckford has scored 5 in his last 10 league games, and 6 in 5 FA Cup games after a difficult start to his season at Leicester. Bates’ statement comes ahead of a transfer period in which he insists quick movement (that Warnock has asked for) is not necessarily his aim. The claim that signing Beckford would not be a ‘move forward’ will really put pressure on the club the deliver a better standard of player this season. That said, with Beckford rumoured to be on £40,000 p/w at Leicester, he’d probably be out of our price range anyway.
While Beckford isn’t a step in the right direction, El Hadji-Diouf (Brucey Brucey knock him out) apparently is. Sky Sports’ famous “sources” claimed last night that Leeds are in talks with the 31-year old failed striker turned winger, with Warnock having promised a move or two during the first week of May (next week).
A move for El Hadji Diouf will be a brave one for two reasons. First, Diouf is a very controversial player whether it’s pretending to be a camel and spitting at everybody he doesn’t like, leaving Sam Allardyce considering sending him to a psychologist, or making up allegations of racist behaviour of Everton fans to excuse a racial slur to a ball-boy, assaulting men in nightclubs, skipping pre-season, or taunting broken-legged Jamie Mackie. In fact, the second reason this would be brave is Warnock and Diouf’s history. Diouf’s behavour as Mackie was stretchered off prompted these choice words from Warnock:
After time to cool off, Warnock told TalkSport:
I’ll be surprised if he’s here next year and really the sooner he’s out of the country the better. I think it’s about time he took it to another continent now.
A selection of repeatable fan opinion includes:
I seriously wouldn’t pay to watch him at Leeds United, no chance. Nobody I despise more in football I don’t think.
and
Think even Millwall fans would baulk at the thought of him joining their lovely club.
No chance. Disgusting little cretin.
Having said that, Diouf’s record in a struggling side of 6 goals from 16 shots and 5 assists in 22 league matches, isn’t too bad. Still, surely it’s a wind-up?
Would Diouf be a good signing? Have your say below…
