According to talkSPORT, Leeds United captain Liam Cooper may leave the club before the start of the Championship season against Cardiff City on Sunday, August 6.
Cooper, who is ready to begin his eleventh season at Elland Road, is mulling a hefty offer from Saudi Arabian side Al Qadsiah to quit the club this week, according to the digital news outlet’s Twitter account.
The Saudi Arabian team is managed by Robbie Fowler, a former Leeds United player who is eager on getting Cooper to the club despite the defender’s assertion that he “would never” turn his back on the club.
Cooper’s departure would be devastating.
Losing the club captain just days before the season opening may have a greater impact on the group than simply losing another player.
Cooper is a leader both on and off the pitch, upholding high standards of what it means to play for Leeds.
While his skill may be waning, he can surely cut it at Championship level, and the club will be hoping he does so in the future, as well as the role he plays in coaching the club’s young players as they make the step up.
Cooper‘s departure would not only mean the club losing a fantastic leader and presence in the squad, but it would also leave the club with only Charlie Cresswell and Pascal Struijk as centre-back options.
While Luke Ayling and newcomer Ethan Ampadu may both play there, they should not be relied on to cover the voids left by departing players. Ampadu, in particular, has made it known that he wants to play in the centre of the field.
This revelation follows a report in the Yorkshire Evening Post [2 August] that the 49ers are willing to spend to cover any outgoing players at Elland Road as the season approaches.
This one is worth keeping an eye on.
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