There is a difference between signing a player and actually trusting him to make a difference. At Leeds United, one summer arrival is discovering that the hard way, with his lack of involvement raising questions about whether he fits into Daniel Farke’s plans at all.
Leeds need more attacking quality, and bringing in another young forward was supposed to give the manager an extra option. Instead, the early weeks of the season have offered little evidence that the player is close to becoming a regular, despite the club potentially committing a substantial fee to keep him.
That leaves an uncomfortable question for the 49ers: did they deliver the player Farke wanted, or one he is still struggling to trust?
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Bahoya barely features as Farke holds back
Jean-Matteo Bahoya arrived at Leeds on deadline day on loan, with an obligation to buy for around £26m if he reaches a specified number of appearances. Yet the French youngster has managed just two substitute appearances in the Premier League, totalling five minutes of football.
That is hardly enough time to settle into a new team, let alone prove he deserves a bigger role. Leeds have struggled to make an impact in the final third, and Farke could certainly use another attacking option who can change a game. But so far, he has shown little inclination to give Bahoya a meaningful opportunity.
Several reasons could explain that. The youngster may need time to adapt to English football, or Farke might believe he isn’t ready to contribute regularly. However, the appearance clause complicates matters.
If Bahoya reaches the required number of appearances, Leeds will be committed to paying around £26m to make the move permanent. With his minutes so limited, it is hard to ignore the possibility that the manager is unconvinced by what he’s seen.
That does not prove Farke is deliberately keeping him out to avoid triggering the clause. But the lack of opportunities raises questions about whether the man who is supposed to develop him has fully backed the player.
Read More: £26m Leeds transfer could collapse after just five minutes of action
A message to the 49ers over Leeds’ recruitment?
The 49ers will want their summer recruitment to deliver results, particularly when a deal could eventually cost Leeds £26m. Bahoya’s situation is therefore worth watching, because a significant financial commitment means little if the manager is reluctant to use the player.
Farke may simply need more time to assess the youngster. But if he keeps Bahoya on the bench while Leeds struggle to create chances, the decision will inevitably invite scrutiny.
There is also the question of whether Bahoya was the player Farke genuinely wanted. Deadline-day deals often involve compromises, and recruitment departments and managers don’t always see every target the same way. His lack of involvement doesn’t prove a disagreement behind the scenes, but it hardly suggests he’s become an essential part of the manager’s plans.
For Leeds, the priority must be spending the money wisely. If Bahoya can improve the attack, he needs a real chance to show it. If Farke does not believe he is ready, the club must understand why before committing to such a costly permanent transfer.
For now, the Frenchman’s five minutes of Premier League action have raised more questions than answers. If his involvement doesn’t increase, Farke’s handling of the deal could send an uncomfortable message to the 49ers about the player they brought to Elland Road.
