Out-of-contract Leeds United duo Adam Forshaw and Joel Robles are set to learn their Elland Road fates this week with the expected publication of the club’s retained list, Beren Cross reports.
The veteran pair saw little action this season but were both elevated to key status under Sam Allardyce to close the season, as the Spanish keeper started all four Premier League games under the English manager – his only four in the top flight this season – after replacing the embattled Illan Meslier.
Forshaw made 12 appearances in the league as the Whites failed to beat relegation, but saw more action under the fourth first-team manager of the campaign than in the eight other outings combined, with Phil Hay suggesting on 15 May [Phil Hay Monday Club] Allardyce would like the 31-year-old to play every minute.
The senior men are the only two first-team members whose deals expire this summer, and with an exodus from Elland Road expected thanks to relegation the retained list will show whether they are set to join it.
Robles, 32, only signed on a one-year deal last summer, while Forshaw has been with the club for five-and-a-half injury-hit years, and the club have the option of another year.
When Meslier’s confidence was shot by repeated thrashings late in the season Robles stepped in and steadied the ship in goal, but it proved to be too little too late.
Despite his poor season the young Frenchman has long been linked to a transfer departure, and with the Whites dropping into the second tier there is every chance he moves on this summer.
Keeping Robles around therefore seems like a sensible, and relatively cheap, solution as he isn’t particularly old for a goalkeeper.
Forshaw, on talent alone would likely see his option triggered as a matter of course, but when he has struggled to remain fit for so long he may prove to be a luxury the club can no longer afford.
Throughout the campaign his ability would have been helpful in the middle, where the two-man set up favoured by Jesse Marsch, Michael Skubala and Javi Gracia was all too easily bypassed until Allardyce used a three late on.
Tyler Adams’ injury made the situation worse as it left Marc Roca and Weston McKennie to chase shadows as Leeds United headed for the drop.
The latter of the two Americans has already gone back to Juventus, the Spanish former Bayern Munich man is a potential transfer exit, and although the Whites “desperately” want to retain Adams [The Athletic, 1 June] he will surely be a target for some clubs this summer.
So keeping Forshaw around might be necessary if it is only youngsters such as Darko Gyabi and Archie Gray left to man the centre of the park, and a decision appears to be just days away now ahead of a very busy summer.
In other Leeds United news, one man who just played in a European final is “destined” for Elland Road with a highly-rated free agent now set to replace him
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