Daniel Farke explains surprise Leeds United decision after ‘red flags’ from within Thorp Arch

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Daniel Farke’s selection decisions were under the microscope again on Saturday afternoon as the German made a few shocks when picking and changing his Leeds United side to face Blackburn.

Leeds took on Daniel Farke’s nemesis John Eustace at Elland Road on Saturday, having lost the previous three meetings with Eustace since taking the job at Leeds – one with Birmingham, two with Blackburn.

Eustace seemed to have the jump on Farke once again as Blackburn took Leeds to injury time without conceding. A Leeds side that have been simply majestic at Elland Road throughout the 2024-25 season.

Pascal Struijk thought he won it when he scored a penalty after Mateo Joseph went down in the box, only for Blackburn to go down the other end and score from a corner through centre-back Danny Batth.

• READ MORE: Why John Eustace almost got himself sent off as Leeds drew with Blackburn

Daniel Farke’s made some surprise decisions on Saturday

The first, being the decision to remove captain Ethan Ampadu from his starting Leeds XI. Farke made four changes from the win at Derby and one of those was replacing Ampadu in midfield, with Joe Rothwell.

Then, the decision to take Manor Solomon off. Replacing Solomon left Tony Dorigo shocked while on duty for LUTV, while Solomon was left angry at the decision as he threw his gloves into the Leeds dugout.

Farke has explained his decision to bench Ampadu, before having to bring him on early in the second half for Bogle: “He was out for 2 and a half months, then four games in the starting line-up in a row,” he said.

“A few red flags from sports scientists so it felt like his recovery status was not OK. We can’t afford to lose him for another eight weeks so we are careful. We have good options,” Farke added after Saturday’s draw.

Leeds were a better side with Ethan Ampadu on the pitch

But Farke’s explanation makes sense. Losing Ampadu for 45 minutes is a whole lot better than worsening his knee again and waiting weeks or months without the Wales ace, who’s proven his importance of late.

However, it might have made more sense if Farke had rested Ampadu in a game against Derby County instead of leaving him out of the side against a team that clearly, Farke cannot work out how to beat.

Either way, it appears Ampadu came through the 1-1 draw unscathed and will now be back in contention to start when Leeds go to Hull on Saturday. Jayden Bogle and Sam Byram may also be available to play.