Jason O'Keeffe 💙💛

life is all about Leeds

[Adonis Storr @theadelites]

#LUFC are in negotiations for Southampton's Shea Charles with a fee around £20m thought to be enough and the two clubs not too far apart on valuations.

So why do Leeds want Charles?

During the 2021-22 season, Pep Guardiola called up Shea Charles to train with Manchester City's first team squad when he was still only 18.

That season Shea featured in both City's under-18 Premier League National champions team; and City's under-23 Premier League 2 winning side; and he was called up by Northern Ireland.

After signing for Southampton and showing some early promise, Charles really progressed on loan at Sheffield Wednesday where he first got the serious attention of #LUFC.

He excelled for Wednesday, while displaying his versatility particularly with his performances at centre-back; and ended the 2024-25 season as Wednesday's player of the season and was nominated for the Championship young player of the year award.

Charles is a right-footed versatile player. He can play anywhere in midfield or defence but has mostly been utilised as a defensive midfielder (111 games) or at centre-back (40 games).

He has a good left foot and great physicals - pace and strength. He reads the game well and is disruptive out of possession - excellent at ground duels. He also has vision on the ball and can pick and thread a through-pass.

Charles has fantastic attributes suited for the Premier League and the way Leeds player under Daniel Farke.

His high energy, aggressive hunger for the ball is a match for both the physical and mental attributes United look for in recruits.

Last summer Leeds were mainly focusing on players in their peak years - 27-year-olds who could raise the floor of the team to be able to compete straight away.

But Farke has always spoken about his love of developing young players. Something he did to great success at Norwich. Something he did with Gray, Summerville and Rutter in his first season at Leeds (all were under 22 that season).

#LUFC's switch to three at the back last December has increased the need for versatile players who can slot in at centre-back, defensive midfield or at wing-back.

James Jutin's versatility proved enormously useful last season and the club see Charles as being similarly useful.

Central and defensive midfielders are at a premium at the moment, with Elliot Anderson attracting a British record fee this summer.

Charles has one year left on his deal at Southampton which is why his asking price has dropped to around £20m.

Leeds will look at Charles as a project who they could at least get their money back for if it doesn't work out, but the potential upside could be huge.

Southampton were never going to accept the first bid (has any club ever accepted a first bid?).. nor even the second bid from Leeds for Charles, but negotiations continue - and #SaintsFC will want to maximise the value from him despite his contractual situation.

Leeds fans can imagine Charles as a bit of a mix of Archie Gray, Ethan Ampadu and James Justin, with an attacking element slowly developing into his game: a 35-yard Championship goal of the season contender v Oxford in March; and a lovely assist against France for Northern Ireland on 8th June are good recent examples.

With a fantastic football education courtesy of Manchester City's academy and the right physical and mental attributes, Shea Charles could develop into a top quality Premier League player.

Leeds were a little lacking on youth in the team last season - so much so there was no young player of the season award.

But the club are looking to add youth now and Charles would be an excellent signing for Leeds.

[Orta Know Better Podcast 🎧🎙 @OrtaKnowBetter]

LIVE AT (about) 20:35

@lufcgilly has given @GOGSGOYS and @JayCartay a few minutes extra to get sorted. Get on the stream to see who makes us late today!

Get in the comments too. We've got a Hammer joining us - would you lose to see Spurs relegated?

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[Jason O'Keeffe 💙💛 @Jasonokscoop]

@puddykat21 1. The Cure
2. U2
3. Happy Mondays
4. Kings of leon
5. The Killers
6. The prodigy
7. EMF
8. Queens of the stone age
9. Metallic
10. Linkin park.

[Jason O'Keeffe 💙💛 @Jasonokscoop]

@Kershaw444 His opinion was shite.

[Jason O'Keeffe 💙💛 @Jasonokscoop]

@AdamCrafton_ @TheAthleticFC Whats the chances of their manager losing his job for his stupidity. He's just cost Southampton millions im lost revenue.

[Jason O'Keeffe 💙💛 @Jasonokscoop]

@twill_94 Awful decision, red card all day.

[Jason O'Keeffe 💙💛 @Jasonokscoop]

@rockstarian

[Leeds United @LUFC]

🙌 "Thank you for all your support!"

[Jason O'Keeffe 💙💛 @Jasonokscoop]

@Danny39098934

[Match of the Day @BBCMOTD]

🗣 "I'm not the right choice if it's about maintaining somehow the status quo!"

Daniel Farke wants his ambitions to be matched at Leeds Utd ⚪⬆️

[UK Back in the Day @UKBackintheDay2]

In 1994, the UK tried to ban raves.
The Prodigy answered with this:

[Jason O'Keeffe 💙💛 @Jasonokscoop]

@MaynardM I can't believe they're still crying over that. But they're very quiet on the penalty we should have got on DCL who wasn't offside.

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[Skylights @SkylightsYRA]

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[Adonis Storr @theadelites]

Last summer #LUFC brought in two free transfers: Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha.

Together, they are responsible for 20 Premier League goal involvements (goals and assists) this season - almost half the club's goal tally.

That's one more than Liverpool's strike pair of Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitke - who cost a combined £204m - twice Leeds' entire summer budget.

Great transfers aren't always about the upfront cost to the previous club.

What makes a transfer great is: ability to fit into a team, availability and their specific strengths.

Leeds are hamstrung by PSR in the transfer market; but found a way to bring in players who were effective.

When the big money moves for attackers like Igor Paixão and Rodrigo Muniz didn't come to fruition, they found value in free agency.

Both Nmecha and DCL have had injury-hampered careers. But they have also shown great promise in the past.

By keeping them fit, boosting their confidence, and giving them a chance, they have scored the goals that will keep #LUFC up.

Nmecha and DCL were two fantastic acquisitions who have played a pivotal role for Leeds. And they cost nothing.

And it's not like Leeds weren't willing to spend - in addition to looking at Paixão and Muniz last summer, they were willing to buy Jørgen Strand Larsen in January - at the right price, of course.

But the point is - it doesn't matter how much a player costs, if they are the right fit.

Some big money moves are busts; and some free transfers become heroes.

[Jason O'Keeffe 💙💛 @Jasonokscoop]

@twill_94 Must be paid off

[Jason O'Keeffe 💙💛 @Jasonokscoop]

@allleedsaway 9

[Jason O'Keeffe 💙💛 @Jasonokscoop]

@DaveyR91 I was shouting at the tv calling him all sorts of names 🤬🤬

[Jason O'Keeffe 💙💛 @Jasonokscoop]

@twill_94 How Arteta hasn't got a red card for encroaching onto the pitch is beyond me.

[Jason O'Keeffe 💙💛 @Jasonokscoop]

@EastLeedsLad Great pot to get to the black and then misses it 🤯