Graham Smyth outlines Daniel Farke's stance on Leeds United winger Largie Ramazani amid minutes debate — YEP 6/3/25

-

By Kyle Newbould

The £10m Leeds United winger was an unused substitute against West Brom on Saturday.

YEP chief football writer Graham Smyth has outlined the thinking behind Daniel Farke’s decision to keep Largie Ramazani on the substitutes bench in recent weeks.

Ramazani was an unused substitute once again on Saturday as his side drew 1-1 at home to West Brom, with the winger now watching Leeds’ last two games from the bench despite the need for winning goals on both occasions. That winner did not come at Elland Road over the weekend but Farke turned to Willy Gnonto and Mateo Joseph before deciding two changes was enough.

An October ankle injury halted Ramazani’s early-season form and despite coming off the bench to register a goal and an assist in just eight minutes against Sheffield Wednesday in January, the Belgian’s only start since came in last month’s FA Cup defeat to Millwall. That has been partly down to the form of his main competitor at left-wing, with Manor Solomon looking a cut above the Championship when in full flow.

Ramazani decision explained

Sections of the fanbase have clamoured for Ramazani to get more opportunities, given he has looked so exciting in short bursts. But Farke went into great detail on his substitutions and why the £10million summer signing was left on the bench following last weekend’s draw at West Brom.

“Farke basically explained his entire thinking about substitutes and why he only brought two on,” Smyth explained on the Inside Elland Road podcast. “He started in the midfield and said ‘I already have my two most offensive central midfielders in’. Rothwell has set-piece ability and Tanaka has quality from distance so you don’t want to take them out.

“He didn’t want to replace Dan James because Dan James at the minute is absolutely Dan James-ing the Championship, he has a lot of goals and assists and if something good is going to happen he’ll probably be involved, he already set up the goal. He didn’t have his best game in terms of end product, but he set up the goal. Solomon has been tremendous but when he did start to flag, he came off and Farke put Gnonto on, and you could see why because Gnonto had a little bit of momentum.

Farke selection stance

“He’d come on against Sheffield United and not given them a second, he was straight at them, he came close to a goal, it was his shot that was brilliantly saved by Cooper before Leeds scored. So he brought Gnonto in hoping to get a bit more of that spark and he didn’t want to take either full-back off because he had his most offensive full-backs on the pitch.

“Bogle is in an incredible partnership with James right now that you just wouldn't tinker with, because they seem to have a real understanding, it just seems to be flowing. You wouldn't take Firpo off because he might head in another goal or set one up with a great cross. And you’re not going to take off a central defender for Largie Ramazani when it's 1-1 against a good West Brom team at Elland Road, you're top of the league and you're going to go 17 unbeaten. It wasn’t a game Leeds desperately needed to win.”

Popular posts from this blog

The huge initial fee Leeds are set to receive for Crysencio Summerville’s move to West Ham — Leeds United News 31/7/24

-
Will Butcher West Ham United are closing in on a deal to sign Crysencio Summerville from Leeds United, and Ben Jacobs has shared how much Leeds will receive for the Dutchman. The 22-year-old has been strongly linked with the Elland Road exit door all summer and was targeted as the one big sale Leeds needed to make before the Profit & Sustainability Rules deadline this month. But instead, Leeds sold Archie Gray for £40m to Tottenham. Leeds have since sold five more players in the form of Diego Llorente, Marc Roca, Kris Klaesson and Charlie Cresswell – raking in around £60m in total. But more exits were always likely and Fabrizio Romano reported on Wednesday afternoon that West Ham had agreed personal terms with Summerville, and talks for a fee were ongoing with the Yorkshire side. Now, the story has moved on with multiple sources claiming a deal is done between Leeds and Angus Kinnear’s old club. The Dutchman is expected to sign a five-year at the London Stadium, until Jun...
Read more

Leeds United board break silence after transfer window with statement on upcoming Elland Road development — YEP 2/9/24

-
By Joe Donnohue Leeds United have confirmed supporters' commemorative stones at Elland Road's Centenary Square will be replaced free of charge in a bid to improve their longevity. Beginning next month, Leeds supporters' personalised stones will be replaced with exact replicas, courtesy of a new company, to ensure of a 'much better quality' installation. The work is expected to take around two months to complete. An official club statement confirmed 'three larger stones dedicated to former managers Don Revie, Howard Wilkinson and Marcelo Bielsa' will also be installed, 'similar to those located in Bremner Square', while additional space for supporters to purchase new stones has also been factored into the project. “The club have taken on board recent feedback from supporters on the stones at Centenary Square, and we are really happy that we can now announce that all of the stones will be replaced," chief executive Angus Kinnear confirmed,...
Read more

Leeds United transfer state of play as Whites knock back low bid and assert wing pair stance — YEP 3/7/24

-
By Graham Smyth Leeds United are not actively looking to cash in on Crysencio Summerville and Willy Gnonto and believe any further outgoing transfer business will be done on their terms. The Whites, who sold Archie Gray to Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday for £40m, expect that there will be continued interest in wing pair Summerville and Gnonto as the summer transfer window progresses. Summerville has been a target for Premier League side Brighton and Hove Albion but their interest has not yet materialised into a bid. The Albion did, however, send a £30m proposal for Georginio Rutter, which Elland Road chiefs rejected. Rutter is not expected to try and force an exit this summer and appears settled at Leeds after a far more positive second season in English football. The sale of Gray has helped put Leeds into a position where they do not need to sell star players and can dictate any moves that do happen. Club sources say they are not actively looking to sell the likes of Summerville o...
Read more