Leeds United’s EFL Cup campaign came to a disappointing end on Wednesday as Chelsea thrashed them 6-3. However, one Whites player has now found himself at the centre of an entirely separate controversy, with the situation beyond the club’s control.
Noah Okafor stunned many on Thursday by releasing a statement confirming that he will not make himself available for Switzerland while Murat Yakin remains in charge of the national team.
The Swiss winger and the Switzerland head coach had a tumultuous relationship, but it all seemed in the past when the winger returned to the squad just ahead of the World Cup.
However, Yakin opted against using Okafor during the World Cup, and the winger appeared visibly frustrated during his time with the Swiss squad over the summer.
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The manager is seriously unhappy with Noah Okafor
Okafor won’t be playing for Switzerland anytime soon after his statement on Thursday. However, the controversy has been brewing since the World Cup.
According to Swiss daily Blick, Yakin was not going to select the Leeds winger for the Switzerland squad even before the winger made his shocking statement.
The Switzerland head coach was unhappy with some of the incidents that happened during the World Cup that stemmed from Okafor and his camp.
Yakin was furious over the vile comments directed at the Swiss FA and the head coach across social media by individuals close to Okafor.
He lost his patience with the winger and was not going to select the player for the Switzerland squad anymore.
The Swiss FA briefed the national team’s leadership group, headed by Sunderland midfielder and captain Granit Xhaka, on Yakin’s decision regarding Okafor.
The relationship is in tatters, and Okafor has made it clear that he won’t play for his country as long as Yakin is head coach.
Should Leeds be worried about Okafor’s attitude?
Okafor insisted that the decision to step away from international football is not down to lack of minutes at the World Cup but broken promises.
He has had a tumultuous relationship with Yakin, and it all came to a head at the World Cup. it seems there is no way back for the duo.
However, it is a little concerning that Okafor didn’t do anything to stop people in his circle from attacking the manager during the World Cup.
Leeds are going to add more talent to their squad in the coming years, and a time will come when the Swiss winger may not be an automatic choice in the starting eleven.
It’d be a shame if Okafor’s camp attacked the Leeds manager from the sidelines if the winger lost his place in the team.
The choice whether to be available for selection, or not , is Noah Okafor’s to make … end of.
The majority of Leeds fans simply want to see is him give 100% every time he pulls on the white, yellow, or blue shirt, and score as many times as possible.