Leeds United have a light squad, and injuries could result in manager Daniel Farke reaching into the club’s youth academy for depth.
So far this season, the German tactician has already had players like James Debayo, Charlie Crew, and Sam Chambers on the bench but hasn’t yet counted on them to play significant minutes.
Nonetheless, could that be changing? Mateo Joseph is the latest young talent from Leeds to make a successful step up from the U21s. As a result, Farke isn’t afraid to trust a young talent if they have earned it.
Considering the injuries to the center-back position, Debayo could be the latest youngster to see action as Leeds could be facing a crisis.
Journalist believes Daniel Farke will have to count on James Debayo
Leeds are dealing with several new injury worries ahead of Saturday’s game against Coventry City, with Pascal Struijk being the biggest concern. Moreover, Max Wober is already sidelined, and Leeds could be pretty short at center-back.
The most likely option is Ethan Ampadu moving into defense, although Farke did mention Debayo during his press conference. Debayo has been on the bench for five of Leeds’ six league games this season, but he’s yet to make his senior debut.
Journalist Graham Smyth believes that if Farke truly thinks the 19-year-old defender is ready to leap and play first-team football, he will have to give him a chance at some point.
“There is apart of me that thinks at some stage James Debayo is going to have to play,” Smyth said on the latest episode of the Inside Elland Road Podcast. “If he’s going to be a prospect that Leeds believe can make the step up to men’s football, he is going to have to play men’s football at some stage.
“Is Coventry at home such a bad game to be throwing him in, or is it going to be enough that he perhaps plays in the FA Cup this season and maybe comes off the bench a few times to shore up a result? This is the balancing act between bringing young players through and protecting the results. At what point do you trust them?”
