Daniel Farke and Leeds United might secure an immediate return to the Premier League if recruitment is successful in January.
Daniel Farke has been tasked with overseeing the rebuilding of Leeds United after the Whites were relegated to the Championship at the end of last season – and he’s doing a good job so far.
As we approach the festive season, the Elland Road club aren’t a million miles away from automatic promotion. A few additions would be welcome, but there are encouraging indicators – if the division resumed on October 1, Leeds would be in the automatic places, and an instant return would be a formality.
However, with a January transfer window approaching, recruiting might mean the difference between promotion and relegation. Other clubs will have the opportunity to strengthen their cases for Premier League football, and Farke knows he needs to get the window right – so Leeds Live looks at his three transfer windows with Norwich City in the Championship to see what might happen for the Whites in January.
2020/21
Ins: Orjan Nyland, Regan Riley, Dimitris Giannoulis (loan)
Permanent outs: Carlton Morris
Loan outs: Tyrese Omotoye, Rocky Bushiri, Josip Drmic
2018/19
Ins: Akin Famewo, Philip Heise
Permanent outs: Remi Matthews
Loan outs: Matt Jarvis, Ben Marshall, Nelson Oliviera
2017/18
Ins: Kenny McLean, Onel Hernandez, Dennis Srbeny, Moritz Leitner (loan), Marcus Edwards (loan)
Permanent outs: Cameron Jerome, Alex Pritchard, Harry Toffolo, Glenn Middleton
Loan outs: Adam Phillips, Ebou Adams, Yanic Wildschut, Russell Martin, Steven Whittaker, Todd Cantwell, Kenny McLean
Verdict
Farke was clearly charged with a reconstruction in his first season at Norwich, much as he has been at Leeds in recent months. The departure of many of his veteran stars, including Cameron Jerome, Russell Martin, and Steven Whittaker, may mean that Leeds‘ older players, such as Luke Ayling, Stuart Dallas, and even Patrick Bamford, may face a bleak future at the club.
Other prominent permanent departures during the three campaigns may indicate that Farke does not place a high importance on squad players. Carlton Morris and Harry Toffolo were released and are now Premier League players, raising the possibility that Farke made a few bad transfers.
In terms of his ins, Farke’s ability to detect talent in the market is undeniable. Marcus Edwards is now a star at Sporting Lisbon, Kenny McLean and Dimitri Giannoulis are both vital players for Norwich City in the Premier League, while Onel Hernandez is still at the club after two strong Championship loan periods.
If Farke does intend to bring in long-term talent, together with a larger budget at Elland Road, it might do Leeds the world of good if they win promotion this season.
Leave a Comment