Leeds United lost over four first team players during the summer transfer window.
After losing the Championship playoff final to Southampton in May, it became very difficult to keep the players that excelled last year. Leeds lost Georginio Rutter, Archie Gray and Crysencio Summerville before the season began. Summerville joined West Ham, Rutter joined Brighton and Gray moved to Spurs.
Some players arrived in the summer including Isaac Schmidt, Ao Tanaka, Jayden Bogle and Joe Rothwell. Not many expected Leeds to be in the promotion race this season, but the Whites have been one of the better teams this season.
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Leeds United star speaks on his time at the club
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Daniel Farke has had to rely on a mix of old players and summer signings that have made the current core of the team. Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell have formed a solid partnership in the middle of the park, and Jayden Bogle has been one of the best fullbacks in the Championship this season. Farke has relied on Brenden Aaronson, who was on the verge of leaving the club, to be a starter in the team. Some summer signings have not really hit the ground running. Manor Solomon and Isaac Schmidt especially.
Schmidt has barely featured in the first team this season, and had to undergo surgery on a hernia problem. The Swiss defender is recovering and could be back in the matchday squad soon. Schmidt has hope that he will play more games when he returns to fitness:
“I’m already happy to have had a few minutes of play. Me, being able to come in and contribute offensively – in all the matches I played, I played right winger! That’s already really cool.
“I know that I have to take a step forward and that I’m going to have to fight for my place. Nothing is ever a given in football.”
Daniel Farke had previously asked the new arrival to work harder if he wants a place in the team.
Isaac Schmidt’s time will come
This is a very long season and the calendar is packed with games. With the upcoming schedule in December, Daniel Farke will rotate and some players like Schmidt will get some playing time. One player who is definitely on his way out of Elland Road is Joe Gelhardt.
