What we could have won

What if?

Written by: David Guile
Artwork by: Eamonn Dalton
Josko Gvardiol making a binoculars gesture as if he's Mat Klich, and fellow signing-who-got-away Cody Gakpo

Let’s face facts: we all knew Cody Gakpo was going to smash it at the 2022 World Cup. It might as well have been carved into the bedrock of the planet, spelling his destiny out to the heavens.

Leeds United aren’t allowed nice things, therefore the things we can’t have are destined to be nice. There’s a kind of cosmic forcefield surrounding anything with the potential to make us happy, repelling our advances. I can’t explain it. It must be something to do with science.

To read the rest of this article, you need to join TSB+ — members get access to this plus extra podcast and video episodes, all podcasts advert-free, can read every issue of our magazine online and much more. You can join or log in below.

Join TSB+

Support TSB and get all this:

TSB+ Monthly

£6.99 p/m

TSB+ Yearly

£4.99 p/m

TSB+ Mag

£5.66 p/m

Other options

TSB Magazine

£1.50 p/m

Gift Memberships

full_badgeCreated with Sketch.

DON'T MISS ANYTHING FROM TSB

Pick your emails:
    240519_MEMBERS_SHOW
    I'm Lovin' It
    members_show_2023_web_thumbnail
    TSB
    Not dippers
    Georginio Rutter, after being subbed off, is picked out by a photographer in the West Stand, as he looks up across the crowds with joy on his face
    The proper stuff
    240516_tmb_norwich_team_alt
    Canaries Caned
    tmb_2324_website_thumbnail_white
    Goodness Me
    240515_PHIL_HAY
    Second Leg
    phil_hay_podcast_2023_thumbnail
    Down To This
    Pat Bamford looking slightly spooked and concerned, as if he's about to take a penalty, superimposed with the view of Elland Road from the penalty area in the background
    Shootout
    240514_PROP
    Forty
    propaganda_podcast_2023_thumbnail
    Get Sweaty
    At the end of the game at Norwich, Dan James is clapping the fans, and Daniel Farke has his arm round his shoulders and his down on his chest, like a lairy drunk in a nightclub
    It's fine
    240512_tmb_norwich_team
    Three Man Midfield