|
July 23, 2002
(Tuesday) From Jonathan Woodgate Club
Woody's time to
shine
AS Rio Ferdinand
enters negotiations with Manchester United to wrap
up his record move across the Pennines, Leeds are confident that two
of the team-mates he is leaving behind will prove United are not a
one-man band.
Ferdinand's £30m + move to Old Trafford will continue to capture the
headlines, but already the talk at Elland Road is of exciting new
incomings and opportunities for others in the current squad.
Chairman Peter Ridsdale is hopeful that up to four new signings will
join Terry Venables campaign this season, but he's also confident
that defensively United will prove to be in sound health with the
emergence of Jonathan Woodgate in particular.
"We've also got Jonathan Woodgate, which is a massive bonus because
when we signed Rio we didn't know that Jonathan would be available,"
said Ridsdale.
"We weren't sure of Jonathan's future then but he is a great centre-
half who I think will be an England international sooner rather than
later."
Woodgate's return from injury and his much publicised off the field
problems last season was for Leeds almost like having a new signing
in the squad, and he struck up an excellent partnership with
Ferdinand. With Rio on his way, Dominic Matteo will be one of the
players Leeds will look to at centre-half, but another defender is
definitely on Ridsdale's transfer hit-list.
"Dominic Matteo's turned out to be a great signing and we've now got
some money in the bank to strengthen the squad. The strategy hasn't
changed. We want to compete with the best.
"Once Leeds supporters get over the fact Rio is going, they should be
very excited about the fact there is going to be some new faces ready
in time for the new season to help us have another assault on the
Premiership title."
¡@
Next
article: Hart
urges Woodgate to seize chance
¡@Previous
article: The
key question
<< Back to New and Articles
¡@
| 