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Leeds United want two more friendlies during World Cup break - Phil Hay
Phil Hay has shared that Leeds United are now talking about playing three friendlies in total during the World Cup break over the next month.
The Athletic journalist shared that plans to go to America changed overnight after defeats, with discussions ongoing over a trip to Spain instead.
Leeds have already agreed to take on Real Sociedad at Elland Road in December, with two new agreements needed to get in more playing time ahead of the restart.
Writing in a club-by-club guide for the Premier League on The Athletic, Hay shared what he expects to happen at Elland Road and Thorp Arch during the break.
“As of a few weeks ago, Leeds United’s plan was to give their non-World Cup players two weeks off and then head to San Francisco for a tour in the backyard of their minority shareholder, 49ers Enterprises,” he wrote.
“Then came defeats to Leicester City and Fulham, resulting in a surge of pressure, and their intentions changed almost overnight.
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“In terms of friendlies, the club have been talking about playing three before they resume the Premier League season against Manchester City on December 28. One of those matches will be against Real Sociedad at Elland Road on December 16. They are also discussing training and playing in Spain, although that proposed trip is still to be confirmed.”
Smart.
It is all about preparation, and it will be needed.
There will be no respite for the Whites when they do return, with Manchester City first up at Elland Road, which may actually turn out to be a positive.
Pep Guardiola will have to wrestle with the fact that the majority of his squad is flying out to Qatar and depending on how far they get, will not have much of a rest before that game.
Leeds only have Rasmus Kristensen, Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams at the World Cup and with the latter suspended for the first game back, there shouldn’t be many fitness issues.
The rest of the squad will also be in peak condition if they have three friendlies booked in, with that one-month break already looking shorter if that happens.
With the trip to Spain also on the cards, it will hopefully plug the gap and we will all be cheering Leeds on once again much sooner rather than later – bring it on, we already cannot wait.
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay has insisted that Leeds United must avoid this transfer blunder in January as one position is eyed