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Everyone knew this was coming, right? “Rumors” like these?
Not content to merely look at potential links for Leeds United talisman Chris Wood or turncoat Charlie Taylor, the press is now reporting that unnamed Premier League clubs are interested in Leeds young star Ronaldo Vieira. The Mirror is reporting that a few “Premier League clubs” are potentially interested in the teenage midfielder after his breakout season last year at Elland Road and his impressive Toulon tournament where he scored the winning penalty.
Why just keep it on target when you can win it in style by firing it into the top corner @Ronaldo_Vieira8 @England pic.twitter.com/4LQoTbdSL1
— i2i Football Academy (@i2iFootballAcad) June 10, 2017
No.
Just no.
One of the biggest problems, if not THE biggest problem of the Massimo Cellino era at Leeds was the constant selling off of young players. Lewis Cook and Sam Byram are prime examples of young players that were solid on for relatively low fees, and now with the relationship with Charlie Taylor beyond repair, another young player is leaving Leeds with little compensation. Keeping young players is how teams gain success. AFC Bournemouth went from League One to the Premier League because of smart buys and keeping their young core together. Going back a few years, the Leeds side that took on Europe was largely crafted by astute signings and youth team products like Alan Smith.
Sunderland got close to a £100 million for finishing LAST in the Premier League last year. While promotion is nothing that should be taken for granted, even from a financial perspective selling off young players for a few million pounds is a terrible idea when just GETTING to the big league will result in a financial windfall like that.
Ronaldo Vieira should be the kind of player that Leeds United builds around. If his head is turned by “rumors”, turn it back. Jonny Howson left Leeds for Norwich City and now he’s rumored to be coming back, albeit at a nice profit for the Canaries. Don’t make the same mistake in letting Vieira go. Selling him would be a huge mistake for Leeds. Radrizzani has made a commitment to holding on to young players and building a team that can get back to the Premier League and stay there. Selling Vieira would mean that all of that talk is just smoke and mirrors, and that this regime is no different than Cellino. Don’t take our hope away already. Please.