Daniel Farke makes brutal admission about £15m Leeds star who won’t start against Newcastle: “Makes it difficult”

Leeds United host Newcastle at Elland Road on Monday night. Daniel Farke has already hinted that one player will not start the game.

The Whites will be hoping to bounce back from their defeat to Chelsea in the League Cup.

They have a perfect opportunity to do that on Monday in front of their home fans. Leeds’ league form this season has been impressive; they are unbeaten in their three league games.

Daniel Farke’s side only managed to take one point off the Magpies last season.

Their last meeting at Elland Road ended in a goalless draw. But the reverse fixture saw the Whites lost 4-3 at St. James’ Park.

Daniel Farke makes honest admission about £15m Leeds star

Daniel Farke seems to have settled on his regular Leeds United lineup just five games into the season.

With the amount of signings that came in, many expected the team to take a while to gel under Farke but his team selection has been consistent.

He did rotate the team in the League Cup games against Nottingham Forest and Chelsea. This season, the preferred midfield pairing has been Anton Stach and Ethan Ampadu.

Sean Longstaff, who started last season well is now frequently on the bench. Daniel Farke spoke about the midfielder ahead of the game against Newcastle.

“Sean is a top guy, a top character, one of our most experienced players at this level, he has many, many Premier League games,” Farke said ahead of Monday night’s game.

“He has the skill to influence the game with a goal or an assist, he has this natural instinct when to be on the edge of the box and instinctive finish. I was a bit surprised he didn’t finish his chance [versus Chelsea].

“Like all our players in this position, he has lots of competition so you always have to be on it. Last season he needed to adapt to a new club then he had a really good period when he was more or less irreplaceable and influenced our game a lot.”

Farke also explained how the 28-year old lost his place in the first team.

“But after a long-term calf injury he had a few problems coming back. He fought his way back in a good pre-season and had some good games but there is lots of competition. Whenever he gets a chance – like in the cup – to shine it’s important he grabs those chances, or when he comes on into a Premier League game.

“Every good appearance there or in training extends your chances to be more involved and every poorer performance makes it more difficult. Sean has all the skills – a top character and top experience. But he also has lots of competition.

“I don’t play the guys I like most or that are the most experienced or the nicest characters, I play what I think is beneficial for the team. And for that, he has to compete with other competitors in this area.”

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Sean Longstaff has to fight for his place this season

Last year, fans were excited to see Longstaff in action in the middle of the park.

He came in as a top transfer and a lot was expected of him. And very early in the season, the former Newcastle star impressed and had an incredible performance against Bournemouth in September.

But he has since lost his place due to the form of other midfielders in the team.

This year, the 28-year old has to fight to win his place back in the lineup. He already possesses a lot of quality that Farke admires, all he needs to do is rediscover his form from the start of last year.