Leeds United manager Daniel Farke must be pleased with the solid start to life in the Premier League and the way his new signings have settled. However, he may want to refrain from public criticism of certain players who could be game-changers this season due to their mercurial ability.
The Whites have made a solid start to life back in the Premier League, with seven points from their opening five league games. However, Farke is aware that a good start means nothing for a promoted team, as things could spiral very quickly at this level.
His side have shown that they can be competitive against most teams in the league, but the manager wants more from them, and is pushing a few individual players to cut out some of the errors from their game over the course of the season.
However, the Leeds manager’s public criticism of certain mercurial talents could have the opposite effect, as it may take the much-needed edge out of their game, which would eventually affect their form.
Daniel Farke must be careful about his criticism of Noah Okafor
Noah Okafor scored his first goal for the club in Leeds’ 3-1 win over Wolves last weekend and produced a scintillating attacking performance.
However, he lost the ball 22 times during the game, which led to some criticism from a few journalists following the game. However, it got highlighted during Thursday’s press conference as well.
Farke didn’t mince his words and admitted that Okafor needs to improve his ability to keep the ball and be more judicious about when to be riskier in possession.
The winger lost the ball 14 times during Leeds’ 1-0 defeat at Fulham, and yours truly didn’t back away from criticising his performance at Craven Cottage.
However, it is one thing to get criticised from outside the club and another when the manager picks you out specifically in a public press conference.
From the little we have seen of Okafor, taking risks is part of his game. On some days, it will come off, and on other days, it won’t, and Leeds may have to accept it.
The former AC Milan winger was brought in to make things happen in the final third, and he cannot do it if the message to him is to be safer on the ball.
Okafor will have to take those risks if Leeds are to make things happen in the final third to create and score goals.
Farke’s criticism threatens to stifle an essential part of Okafor’s game – to attempt those risky first-time balls in the attacking areas.
Okafor cannot be another Brenden Aaronson
Brenden Aaronson on the right flank has been safe on the ball and only lost the ball about half the time compared to Okafor against Wolves last weekend.
He is nowhere close to the attacking threat that the former AC Milan winger was, and that is the difference between the two players.
Okafor may frustrate Leeds fans sometimes with his risk-taking, but it is better than Aaronson running out of ideas when he has the ball in dangerous areas.
The Swiss star has been brought in to be the difference maker in the final third, but if Farke wants him to be safer on the ball, his mercurial talent may go to waste at Elland Road.
Can you name these 10 former Leeds United defenders?
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