“Magnificent” talent expected to depart as a free agent; “decision” taken behind the scenes at Leeds United

Both on and off the field, Liam Cooper has been essential to Leeds United, but it now appears likely that he will depart the team at the end of the current campaign. According to Phil Hay, a “decision” has been taken.

The 32-year-old Cooper is almost ten years old at Leeds. It occurs following Chesterfield’s 2014 admission to the team. The Scotland player went on to play an incredible 277 games for Leeds in a decade.

For a few Leeds players, though, it feels like the end of an era. Marcelo Bielsa’s core group of talents, who propelled Leeds to promotion, are gradually leaving. The most recent, Luke Ayling, relocated to Middlesbrough.

Stuart Dallas’ contract expires in the summer and he hasn’t played for Leeds since April 2022. Cooper’s contract is also scheduled to expire in the summer. The defender is reportedly drawing interest from Stoke City.

As their present contracts expire in June, Phil Hay has previously stated that it is doubtful that Cooper, Dallas, and Ayling will receive new offers. According to Hay’s post on The Athletic, Cooper has made a decision.

Given all the signs that his contract won’t be renewed in May, Cooper is quite likely to follow eventually, if not within this window. Under Farke, he is more involved than Ayling was.

“A presence on matchdays, if not consistently in the starting lineup, but there has been a deliberate choice that the majority of Bielsa’s remaining title-winners are too far gone from their prime.”

Probably the best choice. Despite having played far more than Dallas and Ayling, Cooper is still a great choice for this Leeds team. However, Cooper does not now see quality as the problem.

His inability to maintain his fitness is due to his sporadic game time. With just 12 league games this season, the captain is out once more due to injury. Though keeping him would be ideal, it would be preferable to let him go.