Leeds United fans knew that with the number of arrivals this past transfer window, that some exits would be needed. The Whites were not that great at offloading players compared to recruiting them.
Leeds only confirmed three permanent exits from the first team this summer; Sam Greenwood, Darko Gyabi and Diogo Monteiro. The rest were temporary moves for players who did not fit in Daniel Farke’s plan. Max Wober, Isaac Schmidt, Joe Gelhardt, Largie Ramazani and Mateo Joseph all left Elland Road this summer. Farke made it clear where they stand in the teams plans, and Leeds figured out exits for them.
Patrick Bamford, who was informed he was not in this season’s plans, agreed to a mutual termination to allow him to find a new club.
QUIZ: Can you name these 10 former Leeds United strikers?
Leeds United star explains transfer decision
Isaac Schmidt
Credit: Imago Images
One of the weirdest Leeds transfers this summer involved Isaac Schmidt and Werder Bremen. The German club reached out over a deal in the middle of the window, and reached an initial agreement early in July. It then took weeks before the actual transfer was completed. Daniel Farke wanted a replacement for Schmidt, and had to wait weeks before Leeds signed James Justin to allow the Swiss defender to complete the switch.
Isaac Schmidt has already made his league debut, and scored on the same day. He featured for the Swiss national team over the international break. In an interview with his new club, Schmidt revealed his interest in Werder came from the PlayStation:
“I was already in contact with Werder last year but decided on Leeds because it was a lifelong dream to play in England,” he told BILD.
“It’s funny. It comes from the PlayStation. When I was 12 or 13, I played with a friend, and he always supported Werder because of Arnautovic and a Turkish player. We always supported Werder.”
The price of the PlayStation 3 at release was near £400.
Isaac Schmidt almost destined to leave next year
From his words in this interview, and the playing time he got at Elland Road last season, there is a big chance he never returns to West Yorkshire. Bremen reportedly have an option to buy, which they could trigger at the end of his loan.
Daniel Farke already made the decision to offload him, and is unlikely he makes a u-turn next summer.
