Leeds United players left in limbo following brutal Farke calls and summer difficulties - Leeds Live 9/9/23

Daniel Farke's pecking order looks set after a challenging summer and it's fair to say four players find themselves in a tricky spot

The transfer window has shut and Daniel Farke knows the shape of the Leeds United squad he will be working with for the first half of the season at least. The Whites managed to add nine players to their group, while several players left the club either on loan or on a permanent basis.

However, it’s fair to say a number of players remain in limbo after failing to secure regular spots within Farke’s plans over the last couple of months. With chances and senior minutes set to be few and far between, they might find themselves dropping down to Michael Skubala’s U21s set up on a regular basis between now and January, when they’ll next have the opportunity to pursue other options.

Here’s a look at the four players who find themselves in an uncertain spot following the closure of the transfer window.

Darko Gyabi

After watching him tear up the Premier League 2 last time around with United’s U21s, supporters were keen to see Gyabi given the chance to prove himself at a senior level this season. The midfielder looks to have all the attributes needed to take the next step into men’s football and, at the start of pre-season, he looked capable of securing a place within Farke’s plans.

However, he has struggled to take the opportunities he has been given so far this season, with his only start, against Shrewsbury, resulting in him being hooked at half-time after a difficult showing. The arrivals of both Ilia Gruev and Glen Kamara ensure further opportunities down the line will almost certainly be hard to come by, too.

Gyabi did have interest on deadline day with both Swansea City and Fleetwood Town showing interest in late loans, but a deal could not be brokered and now it seems relatively clear that England U20 international will have to drop down to the U21s to pick up the game time he craves.

Leo Hjelde

Hjelde is another who has struggled to make the most of the chances that have fallen his way. The Norwegian was given the opportunity to begin the season as the club’s starting left-back, but a tough first half against Cardiff City saw him replaced at the break by Sam Byram.

He met the same fate a few days later after starting against Shrewsbury and he has struggled for minutes ever since, dropping out of contention for a starting spot. He did pick up 90 minutes against Salford in the Cup, but once again he flattered to deceive, leaving him in a tricky spot with both Byram and Junior Firpo due to return to full fitness in the not-too-distant future.

Hjelde has shown that he can cut it in the Championship, having caught the eye with Rotherham United last time around and he needs senior minutes to continue his development, but he might struggle for them over the next few months.

Kristoffer Klaesson

Klaesson began pre-season with the intention of trying to secure more minutes this season, but with Illan Meslier and Karl Darlow firmly ahead of him in the pecking order, meeting that target looks unlikely. The Norwegian failed to secure a minute of first-team action last time around and as the club’s third-choice goalkeeper, it’s hard to envisage any opportunities coming for him down the line.

As such, Klaesson ought to be one player pushing for a loan as soon as the shutters come up on the winter transfer window. He’ll be 23 by the time the new year rolls around and it’s fair to say one senior outing in three seasons is not exactly conducive when it comes to development.

Lewis Bate

Like the three other players on this list, it’s hard to see Bate securing any sort of real game time between now and the beginning of the January transfer window. The midfielder spent last season on loan at Oxford United, picking up valuable game time and progressing nicely, but he finds himself comfortably down the pecking order at Elland Road under Farke.

With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, it’s a fair assumption to make that Leeds will be looking for a permanent move for Bate in January and to avoid losing him for nothing in the summer. In the meantime, though, the 20-year-old might find himself playing youth football once more in order to keep himself ticking over.