Leeds United are in the middle of a relentless Championship campaign where they are currently leading the table. They are the favourites to earn automatic promotion and seem to be on their way to getting back to the Premier League unless they have an inexplicable loss of form in the coming months. The focus of the whole club is now on ensuring they are playing in the top flight next season. However, Daniel Farke is also aware that some of the players in his squad will be out of contract at the end of the season. There is uncertainty over the look of the squad next season but for the moment, the Leeds boss is not keen to shift his focus away from what happens on the pitch.
The manager, the players, the coaching staff and everyone associated with Leeds are now focused on getting one thing right – getting back to the Premier League at the end of the season.
Daniel Farke is working hard to ensure nothing distracts his players from the goal as the heartbreak of losing the playoff final last season is still an aching memory for many at the club.
Leeds are gearing up towards playing in the Premier League and every decision being made at the club is aimed towards ensuring automatic promotion this season.
The focus on getting things right on the pitch means, Farke and Leeds are being forced to postpone a few decisions off the pitch, especially talks over new deals for a few players in the squad.
However, Leeds are also running the risk of losing a couple of key players for nothing if they postpone those negotiations for too long.
Daniel Farke wants the Leeds players to trust the club
Leeds United v Plymouth Argyle EFL Sky Bet Championship 02/11/2024. Leeds United defender Junior Firpo 3 applauds the fans match between Leeds United and Plymouth Argyle at Elland Road, Leeds, England on 2 November 2024. Leeds Elland Road West Yorkshire England Editorial use only DataCo restrictions apply See www.football-dataco.com , Copyright: xSimonxDaviesx PSI-20728-0242
The Leeds manager is heavy on team spirit and camaraderie within the group, which is also one of the reasons why he decided against any unnecessary disruptions by signing new players in the winter window.
Farke is aware that a few key players in the Leeds will be out of contract at the end of the season but he is not willing to engage in discussions over new deals as they could shift the focus away from the task at hand.
Junior Firpo, Sam Byram and Josuha Guilavogui have contracts that expire in the summer but the Leeds boss stressed that this is not the right time to hold any negotiations over new deals.
He insisted that there is enough trust between the two sides to wait until the end of the season before opening talks over new contracts for the players.
“We’re playing at the moment”, Farke said in a press conference.
“There is no time to be distracted by contract talks. We’ll speak about this topic when there’s a bit more time to do it.
“With Junior, [a] very good start to the season, then a few suspensions and injuries. You do this when the player is back in his shape and rhythm.
“There is no time to waste any injury or think about individuals. The players know we are a trustful partner as a club. They know they can trust us. We’ll have some proper conversations when it’s time to do this.
“In such a crazy schedule right now, it is not the time to do this.”
Will this risk by Leeds pay off?
Allowing time to run out on deals is risky as the players can easily talk to other clubs and entertain offers, which could be financially more viable.
A high-profile case of clubs allowing contracts to run out is happening at Liverpool where they are yet to agree new deal with Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Firpo, Byram and Guilavogui are not big names but the situation over their future at Leeds is as important for the Whites, if not more given the fact that money is much tighter at Elland Road than at Anfield.
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Guilavogui is unlikely to be offered a new deal, especially if Leeds return to the Premier League but the decision over Firpo and Byram is going to be much more complicated.
Firpo’s wage demands are likely to be an issue and Leeds will also have to take a call on whether he and Byram are good enough to play in the Premier League.
Farke’s decision to postpone the new contract talks makes sense but it is a high-risk manoeuvre, which could blow up on Leeds’ face in the coming months.
