The World Cup is now underway, and Leeds United supporters have plenty to keep an eye on, with as many as four current players involved in this summer’s showpiece tournament.
Brenden Aaronson and Noah Okafor remained unused substitutes in the opening World Cup matches for the United States and Switzerland respectively, while there are growing doubts over Gabriel Gudmundsson’s early involvement for Sweden.
Most Read on The Leeds Press
- Four targets lined up as Leeds prepare major summer spending spree
- Leeds fans can breathe a sigh of relief as club will not be affected by £150m outlay
- “I’m not going to take advice from someone who…” – World Cup hero tears into former Leeds boss on live TV
Ao Tanaka could feature in Japan’s crucial clash against the Netherlands later tonight after Wataru Endo was ruled out of the tournament through injury.
Despite the limited involvement of Leeds players so far, Whites supporters still have several storylines to follow at the World Cup. One former Leeds man, however, has already drawn criticism for his behaviour during the tournament.
Danny Murphy criticises Tyler Adams
The United States made an impressive start to their World Cup campaign, securing a convincing 4-1 victory over Paraguay on Friday evening. However, Tyler Adams failed to impress everyone with his conduct during the match.
Former Premier League midfielder Danny Murphy expressed his frustration with the American international, accusing him of going to ground too easily in an attempt to win free-kicks.
Murphy argued that a combative midfielder with Adams’ reputation should not resort to such tactics.
Speaking on the BBC, he said: “I was praising Tyler Adams as being a tough midfielder who gets stuck in and puts himself about, but he’s dived twice now in this game.
“What is he doing? There is no need for him to go down like that; it is embarrassing. He is a great midfielder, he’s tough, and he does not need to do that.”
Murphy also highlighted the strength in depth within the United States squad, pointing to the fact that Leeds star Brenden Aaronson has been left on the bench despite enjoying an outstanding season at Elland Road.
He added: “The USA have actually got a really strong squad full of Premier League and top-level experience.
“You look across the team, and they have some great players. I mean, even on the bench, they have Brenden Aaronson from Leeds who has had a terrific season.”
Leeds supporters have mixed memories of Adams
Tyler Adams has since established himself as a Premier League performer with Bournemouth and has even been linked with some of the division’s biggest clubs.
However, many Leeds fans look back on his spell at Elland Road with disappointment. Signed in the summer of 2022, Adams was part of the side that suffered relegation from the Premier League.
He featured prominently in a Leeds midfield that struggled for consistency before the club dropped into the Championship.
Following relegation, Adams showed little interest in staying to help Leeds fight for an immediate return to the top flight, instead securing a move to Bournemouth, where he has rebuilt his reputation as a tenacious and effective midfielder.
For many Leeds supporters, though, the lasting image is of a player who failed to make enough of an impact when it mattered most before departing rather than helping the club earn promotion back to the Premier League.
