Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch is already facing a huge nightmare at Elland Road as reports emerge over the futures of star duo Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha...
What's the story?
The American was appointed quickly after Marcelo Bielsa's exit from the club, and according to transfer insider, Dean Jones, could be set to lose two of his most important players come the summer.
He said: "Sadly for Leeds fans, the Bielsa exit is not the only one they will be sorrowing this year. From what I’m hearing, the chances of Kalvin Phillips and Raphinha staying beyond this season are slim-to-none."
Nightmare for Marsch
Make no mistake about it, losing Phillips and/or Raphinha in the summer transfer window would leave Leeds fans worried about where the club goes.
The Whites' Premier League status is very much in the air given results under Bielsa this season, and Marsch has an almighty task to turn things around before the end of the campaign.
Relegation would almost certainly see the duo depart for pastures new given just how much their stock has risen, while even survival may not guarantee anything.
Dubbed as "star dust" and a "match-winner" by The Athletic's Leeds correspondent Phil Hay, Raphinha has simply been a revelation since his arrival from Rennes.
This season has seen him score an impressive nine times in 24 Premier League games as well as provide two assists too, including netting against the likes of Arsenal and Chelsea recently too.
Phillips on the other hand has simply been the heartbeat of this Leeds side for a number of years now, and it was only recently admitted by The Athletic's Phil Hay that while a new contract could well be signed by the midfielder, it wouldn't stop him from potentially leaving.
He said: "On one hand, a new deal will elevate his salary to the level an England international should be at. On the other, it hikes up his value to the highest possible level and there’s a lot of realism at Elland Road about Phillips’ trajectory. At this rate, it feels like a matter of time before someone bids big for him and in those circumstances, it’s not as simple as the club rejecting an offer.
"The situation would depend on whether Phillips wants to stay, how much the bid is worth and whether actually, a sale at the right time could work for everyone if the club know how they will reinvest. Leeds don’t want to lose him but they respect him enough not to want to hold him back either. He’s rapidly becoming Champions League material. But expect a new contract to be agreed before long."
Marsch may only be in the job a matter of days, but he is already facing a massive Leeds nightmare.