With some players set to leave Leeds United in the January window, Daniel Farke has the perfect chance to make some changes in the squad.
After losing the Championship playoff final in May, Leeds lost multiple key players who made the 2022/23 season a success. Archie Gray, Crysencio Summerville and Georginio Rutter all left to join Premier League sides for around £100million combined. Farke entered this campaign with a depleted squad, and no one really favoured the team to challenge for promotion.
16 games into the Championship season, Leeds sit in fourth place with 32 points and have a game in hand. If they win that game, they go joint top of the table. An incredible feat, especially after the club lost two of their best players three months into the new season.
QUIZ: Can you name the Leeds game these 10 goal celebrations are from?
Leeds United set to replace star man in January
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Ethan Ampadu and Illia Gruev were both ruled out for the rest of 2024 after picking up serious knee injuries in the same week. Ao Tanaka, who was personally requested by Daniel Farke, has filled the role perfectly in their absence. The japanese international has been a solid addition in the team alongside Joe Rothwell.
Ahead of the January transfer window, there has been talk that some players are unhappy and could leave for more playing time. Joe Gelhardt has played just two games in the league this season, and has missed out completely on recent matchday squads, prompting rumours that he will leave in January. A number of clubs are said to be very interested in signing the 22-year old. Losing Gelhardt would pose a bit of a problem for Leeds; Patrick Bamford has been unable to stay fit this year, leaving Mateo Joseph as the only backup to Joel Piroe.
Luckily, Daniel Farke has a potential replacement waiting in the wings. Ryan Kent is still a free agent as January approaches, and it is expected that he will finally make a move. Leeds United have been one of the clubs linked with the former Rangers man. Kent would be a brilliant replacement for Gelhardt; the 28-year old can create and score at a high level and will add a new attacking dimension to the team.
The addition of Kent will allow Daniel Farke to play around with the attack more, and possibly shift players like Wilfried Gnonto and Manor Solomon into central areas.
