Farke could give Joseph final Leeds United clue as Wober faces reality check — Leeds Live 2/8/24

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Leeds United will play Valencia in their final pre-season friendly on Saturday and it will be our final chance to deduce what Daniel Farke is thinking ahead of the season start against Portsmouth.

Competitive football returns to Elland Road in eight days. With that countdown comes the final friendly of pre-season for Leeds United tomorrow and a last chance for Daniel Farke to stress-test his theories.

Valencia, ninth in La Liga last season, should, on paper, provide the sternest examination of the summer for Leeds. Schalke were a step up from Hannover 96, but both of them are from Germany’s second tier.

There remains a disparity in some of the pre-season minutes each of United’s players have been given. The likes of Brenden Aaronson and Max Wober started late, while Daniel James and Patrick Bamford were kept out of the friendlies in Germany.

Farke will be tempted to polish his rustier players ahead of the new season, but going into Portsmouth with a positive result and performance in front of Elland Road could mean the manager chooses strength over fitness. There may be some clues on which way Farke is leaning with some 50-50 selection calls too.

Illan Meslier and Karl Darlow have shared minutes over the last three friendlies. That trend could continue tomorrow, though the former will start if Farke wants to replicate how August 10 looks against Portsmouth.

Jayden Bogle and Joe Rodon seem nailed on as the right-sided options in a back four, while Junior Firpo probably edges out Sam Byram at left-back, but the latter was really good against Schalke last weekend. As vice-captain, Pascal Struijk seems likely to see off Wober, but that’s an almighty battle to track through the season.

Joe Rothwell’s attacking instincts should mean he provides better balance in midfield alongside captain Ethan Ampadu. Ilia Gruev has rarely put a foot wrong for Leeds, but he seems set to start as defensive cover for the skipper.

If James has had a good week of training after his Germany omissions, the Wales international should start on the right flank. The 26-year-old needs to catch up on match time and has to start the season as first choice down that side.

Aaronson has had 90 minutes less than Georginio Rutter and Wilfried Gnonto in the last three friendlies, but they surely outrank the American in Farke’s strongest line-up right now. The Italian has the chance to make a good impression on the left in Crysencio Summerville’s absence.

Farke’s starting striker might be his most intriguing call of all. Joel Piroe is scoring and trying to keep Mateo Joseph on his toes in pre-season, but the latter’s momentum feels irrepressible right now. One last test for the Spaniard?

Predicted XI: Meslier; Bogle, Rodon, Struijk, Firpo; Ampadu, Rothwell; James, Rutter, Gnonto; Joseph.

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