'Even if we lose Kewell and Robinson, we still have a quality side' maintains Leeds chairman McKenzie
As if Peter Reid's job at Leeds wasn't hard enough, it now looks increasingly likely that he could lose the services of both Harry Kewell and goalkeeper Paul Robinson before the start of the new season. In the last 12 months the Yorkshire club have sold Rio Ferdinand, Lee Bowyer, Robbie Fowler, Olivier Dacourt and Jonathon Woodgate, and chairman John McKenzie has revealed that Kewell and Robinson are both 'unsettled' at Elland Road.
Arsenal are reported to be interested in signing both players, but new Aston Villa boss David O'Leary has already had a bid for the England keeper turned down.
"The reality is that Paul is one year into a new contract," said McKenzie. "We think he is well paid and it's very unlikely that we'd want to improve his contract. I can only assume that he is unsettled and wants to go. We want to keep Paul but that depends on him and it may be that Villa will put in a higher offer. Arsenal have also expressed an interest but we are happy for him to stay because he is a very good goalkeeper."
McKenzie admits that 'the Kewell situation is out of our hands' and adds: "It's not Harry's fault because Arsenal are apparently in no rush. But we can't restructure the team until the Kewell situation is settled. Its a cat and mouse game. It's now between Harry and Arsenal or whichever club he wants to go to, as long as we get a reasonable price."
But McKenzie insists that Leeds can still compete in the Premiership next season even if they lose the services of two more of their star players. "Even if you take out Kewell and Robinson, we've still got 11 internationals, and people underestimate how good peter Reid is. At Sunderland he never had the quality that we have got at Leeds."
Despite his chairman's comments the imminent departures of Kewell and Robinson will be a bitter blow to Reid, who only narrowly steered the club to Premiership safety at the end of last season. Reid was given eight matches to save the club from the dreaded drop following Terry Venables' departure and they maintained their top flight status with a famous victory at Arsenal. That said, it was a thoroughly forgettable campaign for Leeds, who spent the majority of the season stuttering from one crisis to another.
Despite the multiple financial problems at the club Reid is looking forward to the challenge of re-establishing Leeds as a team capable of chasing for honours not fighting to avoid the drop.
"This has been a difficult period for the football club, but it is a fantastic football club," said Reid. "When you look at a club you look at the fan base, and I've got to say the fans have been remarkably patient, but I think we've all had a reality check. While we are going through that process we need their continued support. I think the Leeds fans will understand that and appreciate it."
