Daniel Farke press conference recap: Ethan Ampadu injury extent revealed, team news update and surgery planned — YEP 30/9/24

By Joe Donnohue

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke is set to face the media this afternoon ahead of his side's trip to Carrow Road on Tuesday night.

Midweek Championship games are back on the menu with Leeds travelling to Norwich for their second fixture in the space of six days. United saw off a lacklustre Coventry City at Elland Road last weekend, scoring three without reply from Willy Gnonto, Jayden Bogle and Joel Piroe, but face a bigger test at Carrow Road tomorrow evening.

That challenge has been made all the more difficult by the possibility of skipper Ethan Ampadu missing out through injury after the 24-year-old was substituted during the first half against the Sky Blues on Saturday.

Farke provided a preliminary update on the Wales international's condition after the match but the midfielder is expected to have undergone a more formal assessment in the meantime.

Pascal Struijk, meanwhile, saw out 90 minutes despite some previously-reported adductor problems and having missed the majority of Leeds' training sessions last week, while Joe Rodon appeared in some discomfort towards the end of Saturday's match.

Farke will provide a new team news update ahead of the Whites' second Carrow Road visit in five months, after drawing 0-0 in Norfolk during last season Championship play-off semi-final first leg.

Follow all the text updates from this afternoon's press conference right here. Farke scheduled to be with us from 12:30pm.

Farke on Mateo Joseph's confidence

I’m happy with what Mateo’s delivering. As a striker you’re only 100 per cent if you score game after game, but I don’t rate him in output of just goals. His link-up play is excellent and how he holds defenders. For example the third goal, Joel Piroe, everyone is speaking about Ao Tanaka and the really good assist of Willy. But I praise Mateo, under pressure keeps the ball against aggressive forward defending to keep possession and bring the midfielders into a good position. Without this it’s not possible seven seconds later Joel Piroe scores. I’m happy with Mateo and the workload and the goals will come. He’s so greedy to score. I have to keep in mind he’s still a young player, it’s still more or less his first season starting the games. It’s not easy to fulfil all expectations for a club with such a heavy shirt. He can’t be the finished end product at the moment but he’s moving in the right direction.

Farke on attacking full-backs

It was always a bit signature of my football that I want all my players to attack and especially the full-backs are quite often involved. Depends on the quality of the full-backs, like Jayden or Junior you have to use them. If you have centre-back type full-backs, you can keep the wingers higher. We always try to bring our players in positions where they can naturally use their skills in the best possible way. We’ve got players on the pitch good in tight areas, change positions and play a bit flexible but it always depends on which type of player you have on the pitch. Dan James for example I’d like him to use his pace, it’s good to have different tools and we want to have different players and change our setup in order to not be predictable.

Farke on language barrier and Ao Tanaka

I think his English is already better than his German. He’s a smart boy. The longer he is with us the more his English will improve. He tries to bring himself into the group by being in touch with the others. It’s affected at the beginning, you have to give him time to settle, but the good thing is the football language. He’s on a good path.

Farke on new signings' acclimatisation

We try to support with our tools, lots of communication, showing them videos and individual scenes, to improve them even more, passing choices, to bring our principles of football onto the pitch - but it’s always up to the players. We should be careful to praise them too much but in all areas, there is lots of space for improvement.

Farke on Struijk

Big step forward in his leadership skills and personality last season. During the whole season so far a key player and leader, fantastic performances. He could chip in with goals from penalties and set-pieces. It’s even more important that he delivers right now. I don’t expect him to do anything different than he’s done in recent weeks.

Farke on schedule

We are used to it [the schedule]. You have to be smart with it in training and recovery. Good habits, good nutrition. If you have some injuries, you have to make sure we’re all switched on in the best possible way. There is not time for proper team training. I don’t want to complain too much about it.

Farke on injuries [continued]

You have to expect there will be injuries, have to hope for a little bit of luck. Ethan is our captain, one of our most important players. He is a key piece for balance between defensive stability and offense. It’s a big blow he’s not available but you have to adapt to it.

Max Wober set for surgery tomorrow, meniscus repair, six weeks ‘til he’s back in team training. We’ll also travel to Norwich without Dan James, Manor Solomon and Isaac Schmidt - some glute problems.

Farke on injuries

A few things we have to speak about. Ethan, it’s a serious knee injury, he’s damaged his lateral ligament. The doctors have recommended conservative treatment so doesn’t need surgery, but it’s difficult to predict how long he’ll be out. Ten weeks until he’s back in team training.