{"id":1070083,"date":"2026-07-05T14:15:19","date_gmt":"2026-07-05T14:15:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1070083\/"},"modified":"2026-07-05T14:15:19","modified_gmt":"2026-07-05T14:15:19","slug":"jonathan-woodgate-said-rolls-royce-leeds-united-target-is-quicker-than-antoine-semenyo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/1070083\/","title":{"rendered":"Jonathan Woodgate said ‘Rolls-Royce’ Leeds United target is quicker than Antoine Semenyo"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"\/ Add as preferred source on Google <\/a> <\/p>\n

A new priority at Leeds United this summer is the need to replace Pascal Struijk. Plenty of left-sided centre-backs have been linked with the Whites, but Jonathan Woodgate\u2019s pick would be obvious.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Leeds\u2019 decision to cash in on Struijk was the right one.<\/a> With Struijk\u2019s<\/a> Leeds<\/a> deal ending next summer, the Whites had to make a decision \u2013 rake in a fee for Struijk now, or let him go on a free transfer in a year.<\/p>\n

\u00a320m for Struijk: The best of a bad situation? <\/p>\n

After eight years, Struijk is leaving Leeds.<\/p>\n

\"\" <\/p>\n

It was probably the right decision to sell him this summer, with Struijk\u2019s transfer fee deemed pure profit for Financial Fair Play. But it does leave a gaping hole in Leeds\u2019 side ahead of the 2026-27 campaign.<\/p>\n

If Leeds do plan on using a three-man defence, then a centre-back or two will have to be signed, with Sebastiaan Bornauw a target for Koln<\/a>. One option being linked with Leeds is Juventus star Lloyd Kelly<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What Jonathan Woodgate has said about Leeds target Lloyd Kelly<\/p>\n

Woodgate has made the rival move to be a part of Michael Carrick\u2019s coaching staff at Manchester United. Before he was an assistant, Woodgate had a spell as a manager, including a short spell at Bournemouth.<\/p>\n

\"Football,Photo by Elianton\/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images<\/p>\n

During that time, he had Kelly at his disposal. The former Newcastle man was a \u00a313m signing from Bristol City at the time, and speaking to the Bournemouth Echo<\/a> back in 2021, Woodgate raved about Kelly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see him being at Bournemouth long if he keeps on playing like this. He was brilliant. He\u2019s got some strings to his bow now. He can play very well at centre-half, and he can play very well at left-back.<\/p>\n

MORE LEEDS UNITED STORIES<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s a really good player. He just looks like a bit of a Rolls-Royce, doesn\u2019t he? He looked very, very good (against Bristol City). I was impressed, to be honest with you,\u201d Woodgate continued, praising Kelly.<\/p>\n

\u201cEspecially when (Antoine) Semenyo tried to run him down the line, and Semenyo gave him two yards, and Lloydy overtook him. It\u2019s eye-catching when things like that happen, especially as a fellow defender. <\/p>\n

\"AFCPhoto by Robin Jones \u2013 AFC Bournemouth\/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s all about consistency, that\u2019s the key. It\u2019s being there week in, week out, and when the coaches and I tell him to do things, you learn from it. It\u2019s no good making one mistake and making it again next week. <\/p>\n

\u201cLloydy\u2019s got big attributes to go higher. He\u2019s an England under-21 international. But consistency is key. He needs to keep improving week in, week out. He\u2019s doing fantastic, and I\u2019m pleased with him.\u201d<\/p>\n

What is the situation as Leeds pursue Kelly this summer?<\/p>\n

Kelly made the surprise move from Newcastle to Juventus in the 2025 winter window, initially joining The Old Lady on loan before turning that spell permanent in the summer. He played at the Club World Cup.<\/p>\n

FAREWELL PASC: I\u2019m not crying, you are \ud83e\udd72 <\/p>\n

Pascal Struijk’s emotional message to Leeds fans after completing a move to Brighton.<\/p>\n

Last season, Kelly was a key part of Juve\u2019s side, playing on the left of a back three. Currently, Juventus are under no pressure to sell, but after missing out on the Champions League, they may need a cash boost.<\/p>\n

Juventus are said to value Kelly in the region of \u00a326m,<\/a> which would make him Leeds\u2019 third-biggest arrival in the club\u2019s history. Newcastle are also interested in bringing him back, while Forest are interested.<\/p>\n

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