Daniel Farke reveals Leeds United transfer latest and new injury update following double exit — YEP 17/1/25
By Joe Donnohue
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke hosts his pre-match press
conference this afternoon ahead of the Whites’ return to Championship action
against Sheffield Wednesday.
Leeds boss Farke bid farewell to Joe Gelhardt and Charlie
Crew earlier this week as the pair on the fringes of United’s first-team squad
secured loan moves to Hull City and Doncaster Rovers, respectively.
It leaves Leeds with one of the smallest squads in the
Championship again, although neither player had contributed a great deal this
season. Despite the duo’s exit, Leeds still anticipate a quiet January window
on the transfer front.
Farke is expected to field questions on Leeds’ business
today as well as providing an injury update on the remaining members of his
senior group.
His press conference is scheduled to get underway from
1:30pm. Updates to follow here.
Farke on individual performances vs Harrogate
We have still to be a bit careful, not to overinterpret the
game against Harrogate. Manor assisted to the goal when he was playing a bit
more wide on his natural left side. Isaac someone to mention, major step
forward, but we must not forget it was a spirited Harrogate side but not an
opponent on our level or where we want to be so I don’t want to overinterpret
Manor’s [performance]. He’s definitely an option there [at No. 10] but there’s
also Willy Gnonto, who can also do a job. The best choice, with respect to all
the other options in this position, is Brenden if he stays fit. I’m pretty
happy with him at the moment.
Farke on No. 10 options
Manor interprets this role in a 1-v-1 way, Brenden is
dangerous scoring but can set up a player. We have some options. We can always
speak about more or different type of players. This squad is definitely on top
of the league, we are in a good position in order to be successful. Never rule
out anything, if we find a player in this position but it’s not like panic
mode.
Farke on new additions disrupting a group
It’s important [a new signing] is a good character. It’s not
tennis or golf when you focus just on yourself, it’s important you have a good
group. If you head into a game when 11 field players are happy but all on the
bench are not happy, not together, if you have such an atmosphere you can’t win
anything. On league level or Champions League, it’s never the team with the
most expensive squad or best individual players then a few more clubs would
have won the Champions League or titles more often. It’s important not to be
scared of quality. It’s important you still have good spirit, the group is more
important than anything else, we have the quotes on the walls, these quotes are
true 30 years ago, now and in 30 years.
Farke on Owls' dysfunction and speaking to higher-ups
Depends on the situation, won’t comment on Wednesday
situation. My experience is club is always successful when the key people are
tied together on one page. I’m not speaking about other clubs. The people
important for me, myself, Adam Underwood, Alex [Davies], we are in daily
conversations in transfer windows. Angus Kinnear we’ll also have a good
conversation later. This week, Gretar was in, we’re capable to use his network.
Nick Hammond with his experience and network supports us with recommendations.
After last game I had a good telephone call with Paraag, things we want to do.
Perhaps I have too many conversations, just joking. Our conversations are on a
top level. Speaking about everything that’s quite important. Peter Lowy texted
me today, will be around for a short chat at training tomorrow. We’re working
in the same direction.
Farke on Sheffield Wednesday
They were last season involved in the relegation battle,
Danny Rohl has done a fantastic job to keep them up, in good position in
mid-table, chance to push for top six, in form team, always plays with
intensity and spirit on the pitch, a group on the pitch with togetherness. Good
balance with experienced Championship players and good young players. They play
brave and we have to be on it to cement and stabilise our position.
Farke on Wober and transfers
It’s improving and he’s [Wober] training more regularly but
we have to manage his load and the situation around his knee. We have to be a
bit more aware and transparent to name it like it is with Pascal’s injury. If
we would be in panic mode, the prices of our targets go up, but we are not in
panic mode.
Farke on Crew and Gelhardt loans
With Charlie we had the decision after Ilia Gruev and Ethan
Ampadu is back. It makes sense right now that he gets some minutes and grow in
his personality. With Joffy it’s not that he’s out for a few weeks, he’s been
struggling for gametime for months. His behaviour was always professional but
due to our offensive options, it was quite often the case he’s not even in the
squad. A player at his age it’s important to create value for us and finds his
rhythm back to improve as a player. It was his big wish to use this window to
find a solution to get more gametime and because his behaviour was always spot
on, we rewarded his wish that we allow him to go on loan. Overall I’m very
happy with my squad. The injury to Patrick [Bamford] we may have to stay awake.
We’re top of the league, Fourth Round of FA Cup, it’s not easy to find a
solution that improves us, great character and is affordable.
Farke on potential centre-back signing
We will stay awake until the end of the transfer window. The
second topic is if there is a big injury of one of our key players, an
emergency case, we may be forced to react a little bit. We need to assess
Pascal’s situation quite carefully. If it’s just three weeks then perhaps there
is no need to do something. If you bring in a new player he takes a few weeks
to settle in. It doesn’t look likely [he’ll be out longer] but last season the
injury diagnosis was 2-3 weeks out and he didn’t play one more game for us. I’m
a bit more aware and awake on the market. It’s important we have a look at
possible options in case there is a negative surprise next week.
Farke on Struijk
Out of precaution we sent him to a scan, the result was a
big surprise negative. He will be at least out next three weeks, have to be a
bit careful and assess him pretty carefully because if he would be out for a
significantly longer period, it would impact our plans. It’s a big blow for the
next games. Hopefully it’s just three weeks.
Farke on injuries
It was beneficial to calm the load for a few days. We focus
again on the Championship. To have a few more days between games was
beneficial. Patrick is doing progress in rehab, will miss January. Joel is back
in team training, fully fit, all other players came through the load really
well. Pascal Struijk reported yesterday a little awareness in his hamstring. We
had a scan, sadly it’s a muscle injury, will miss three weeks.