The Leeds United Courier
Player ratings31 Aug 2026
A brace, and Kevin Schade takes the afternoon — 8.68
There is a particular kind of quiet from an away end watching one man score twice. Kevin Schade provided it, and the 8.68 beside his name is if anything generous to everybody else.
Squad31 Aug 2026
James Trafford stands alone
7 saves, and a scoreline the ten men in front of him had no right to. Goalkeepers only get noticed on the bad days; this was one of the other ones.
Market31 Aug 2026
Leeds United say no — this time
The offer from Luton Town for Iliya Gruev was heard out and sent back the same day. First bids are rarely meant to succeed; they are meant to find out how loudly the door closes.
Squad31 Aug 2026
Jaka Bijol in a row with a teammate
It was not about football and everybody who saw it knows that. Two men who have to play together on Saturday said things at Leeds United this week that will take longer than a week to unsay.
Transfer targets31 Aug 2026
Door shut on Batista Mendy
Leeds United asked and Trabzonspor said no without discussing a figure. It is the least ambiguous answer in football and the one clubs most often come back to test.
The dugout31 Aug 2026
No hiding place for Jacob Render
“I pick players who do the work. All of it.” No name was spoken; every camera still turned to Jacob Render, and the manager let it.
Squad31 Aug 2026
8 new faces, and Leeds United are still learning each other
A squad rebuilt inside one window pays for it in a currency nobody budgets for. The football is not worse than the sum of the players; it is worse than the sum of the players who have played together before.
Match29 Aug 2026
Leeds United share the spoils with Crystal Palace
A 2‑2 draw with Crystal Palace leaves the dressing room somewhere between relief and regret.
Squad31 Aug 2026
Franco Herrera stays put
“The easiest signature of my career.” Franco Herrera and Leeds United agree another 4 years, and the manager can plan around him rather than about him.
In brief
- The dugout The view from the dugout
- The dugout Somebody else is better right now than Daniel James
- The dugout No place in the plan for Noah Okafor