Whenever a player talks about taking a ‘step forward’ – as Leeds United transfer target Nico Elvedi has this week – such a statement is usually followed by a debate.
What really constitutes a step forward?
In this case, could the exposure, the riches and the prestige of the Premier League make a newly-promoted Leeds United outfit – presuming there is no repeat of last season’s collapse at Elland Road – a rung up the ladder from Nico Elvedi’s current employers; Mid-table Bundesliga outfit Borussia Monchengladbach?
Or, after a decade with The Foals, is Elvedi realistically only going to consider clubs capable of offering European football and/or a shot at silverware in 2025/26?
Of course, those are questions only the man himself can ask.
Yet, one answer the Switzerland international did give – when asked again about his future at Gladbach – is that he will indeed consider his options as his contract runs down and interested parties start to sniff around.
Nico Elvedi sets out conditions as Leeds United target considers his options
“It will probably be an issue again after this season. I have communicated that openly. If something comes up, I will look into it,” Elvedi tells SRF.
“However, it has to be a step forward. An improvement on Gladbach.”
Another factor will be the offers which come Elvedi’s way.
The likes of Leeds United, Brentford and Wolves have been those most commonly mentioned in conjunction with the former FC Zurich man. It seems unlikely, at this stage, that he will be receiving offers from clubs in the Champions League places though of course that could still change as the summer window looms into view.
The Daniel Farke factor could, meanwhile, give Leeds’ hopes a boost.
Farke worked with the £8 million-rated Nico Elvedi in Germany during the 2022/23 season. In fact, he went as far as to proclaim the now-30-year-old stopper one of the finest centre-halves on the continent.
“Nico Elvedi is an absolute leader for us,” Farke said during his one and only season in the Borussia Monchengladbach dugout, urging the defender to keep embracing the manager’s possession-based gameplan even despite a couple of costly errors.
“When he is at his best, he is one of the best central defenders in Europe. He has proven that over the years.
“When you make a mistake as a central defender and it is punished [but] I wanted him to continue to play with his [usual style].”
Elvedi, then, is certainly au fait with Farke’s way of doing things.
And while Leeds may have arguably the best central defensive depth outside of the Premier League, Farke will be without Ethan Ampadu and Max Wober until after the March international break at the earliest.
Ampadu requires surgery to correct a cartilage issue which kept the captain out of Monday’s stunning 3-1 comeback victory over Sheffield United. As such, Leeds have only Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk available at the back, though the experienced Joshua Guilavogui could step in if required.
Wolves and Brentford in Elvedi race as Daniel Farke shares Ethan Ampadu blow
Farke is expected to provide an update on Ampadu during his Thursday press conference, speaking ahead of the weekend’s early kick-off against West Bromwich Albion.
“It is a bit too early to assess it,” Farke said in the Steel City.
“Looks like a cartilage injury and looking like he will need surgery. It’s too soon to give a timeframe. It depends on how [the surgery] works. He will definitely not be available for the upcoming weeks. It’s a big blow for us.
“What are the chances of two big injuries in one season [for Ampadu] after not missing a minute last season?”
Reporter Ben Jacobs, meanwhile, told Give Me Sport this week that Leeds United ‘really like Nico Elvedi’.
“I think Wolves and Brentford have also discussed him as well, and the player is open to a move,” Jacobs says. “If that [move] is to England, he believes he’s of the standard and wants to play in the Premier League.
“So nothing was really possible for Leeds and Elvedi in January, not without a U-turn in the player’s position.”
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