Leeds United chairman Ken Bates has taken a new swipe at Chelsea over Premiership interest in his young star Fabian Delph.

"Michael Woods and Tom Taiwo. Remember them?" asked Bates in Leeds' programme for the 2-1 home defeat to Huddersfield on Saturday. "No? The names came back to me when we received a circular from a firm of football agents as follows: 'Tom Taiwo - Chelsea central midfield/right-back. Former Leeds United. £2m. England youth international who had a spell at Port Vale this season'.

"Remember them now? Great players with outstanding potential. They were invited down to Chelsea with their parents. They visited the Chelsea training ground, stayed at a good hotel, watched Chelsea and then signed for the club. Haven't heard of them since until the above circular, offering Tom on loan, arrived at our door.

"The problem is that young players and their parents are sometimes seduced by short-term promises. It must be very tempting to see short-term gains and the glamour of moving to a so-called 'big club'. In reality the truth is very different. The kids disappear into the anonymity of the nether regions, rarely to be heard of again.

"Meanwhile, back at their origins, other youngsters are nurtured, encouraged and progress through the ranks. [Danny] Rose, Woods and Taiwo versus Delph, [Jonny] Howson, [Aidan] White and [Ben] Parker speak for themselves. Short-term gain, long-term loss. Leeds United are committed to caring and fostering our youth for the long-term benefit of the kids' future."