As the Championship season begins to take a demanding turn, Leeds United manager Daniel Farke is set to alter his starting XI.
As the winter months approach, Leeds United‘s Championship schedule will inevitably get busier. Leeds will be required to play 15 games between October 21 and New Year’s Day, including seven in December alone. The Whites have already been tested by the demands of the second division with 11 games crammed into the first couple of months.
As a result, Daniel Farke‘s team will be tested over the upcoming months, and rotations appear certain to increase as the manager seeks to keep things interesting and manage the workloads of his most used players. Players who have struggled to find opportunities during the first quarter of the Championship season appear to be receiving more chances.
Here are five people who are hoping to be chosen at some point throughout the holiday season and the weeks leading up to Christmas.
Ilia Gruev
Only three substitute appearances have been made by the Bulgarian thus far during his stay at Elland Road. As a result, Leeds supporters haven’t really been able to grasp his style of play or comprehend what he can provide to the Whites.
However, when the games continue to come thick and fast, Gruev will very probably have a role to play. Moving forward, it appears doubtful that Ethan Ampadu will continue to play every minute of every game, and Gruev will be prepared to make an impact when Farke finally decides to give the Welshman a well-earned break.
To keep himself fresh, the midfielder has accrued minutes while serving with his country, and Farke will be hoping to see the former Werder Bremen player fit in immediately.
Patrick Bamford
Bamford injured his hamstring during the Whites’ final preseason friendly match at Hearts, forcing him to miss Leeds‘ opening eight games. But he came back into the lineup against Southampton at the end of September, and he played in the two home games against QPR and Bristol City that followed.
The German clearly rates Bamford highly and should a change be necessary, he won’t be looking much further than the former England international. Sadly, he couldn’t make much of an impact in front of goal, but he’ll be looking to build up his form once more off the bench over the coming weeks to convince Farke that he is ready to lead the line if Georginio Rutter needs to be rested.
Ian Poveda
Poveda attracted attention during preseason and seems poised to be a major player for the Whites under Farke. However, as of this writing, he has only played in four league games, with his lone start coming in Leeds’ 2-0 loss at Birmingham City.
Given his versatility to play in the middle or on the flank, he has had to be patient, but when the temperature drops, he will have more possibilities. Farke does have offensive options at his disposal, but Poveda’s skill set provides something a little different, and if he doesn’t make the start, he surely has what it takes to secure an impact substitution role.
Charlie Cresswell
Cresswell can definitely consider it a regret that he didn’t get to play more league minutes for the Whites this year. After Liam Cooper suffered an injury on game day, he was the man selected to enter the fray, and he performed admirably in the following week’s loss against Birmingham City.
However, after Joe Rodon‘s acquisition, he has fallen down the pecking order and has only made two bench appearances, both of which have been in stoppage time to try and eke out victories. The ideal center-back pairing is Rodon and Pascal Struijk, but there will be a lot of action, so if Farke feels the need to give anyone a break, he may turn to Cresswell.
Junior Firpo
Firpo hasn’t been physically prepared to make an appearance yet, but he’s on the comeback track and isn’t anticipated to be far from being fully healthy again. Sam Byram has more than nailed down the position of Leeds’ starting left-back in his absence, meaning Firpo might have to wait for his chance to make an impression and gain some traction in the Championship.
Byram‘s workload must be properly managed, though, and it appears improbable that the 30-year-old will start every game in the ensuing weeks and months. In order to finally establish himself at Elland Road, Firpo will be eager to seize every opportunity that presents itself. That could open the door.
Leave a Comment