It’s always a delicate balance when attempting to manage the careers of your brightest young talents, as Daniel Farke is trying to do at Championship table-toppers Leeds United.
Farke benefitted immensely from the faith he showed in Archie Gray last term.
Throwing the teenager in at the deep end on the opening day of the 2023/24 season, Gray was pretty much an ever-present in the second-tier before the 18-year-old was rewarded with a £30 million move to Premier League colossus Tottenham Hotspur.
But, while some at Leeds United hoped to see Charlie Crew become 2024/25’s answer to last term’s breakout star, Farke instead opted to send the teenager out on loan this week.
The ‘exceptional’ Crew joins Doncaster Rovers until the end of the current campaign. The one-time Wales international has already made quite the impression too, Doncaster boss Grant McCann ‘really impressed’ by Crew’s early performances on the training pitch.
The thinking behind that move, Farke explains, is that first-team minutes would be limited at Leeds United with Ilia Gruev back in action. The former Norwich City boss also opted to accept an offer from Hull City for Joe Gelhardt.
The seldom-seen striker has only played nine minutes of Championship football this season, after all. Gelhardt is hoping to put his Leeds frustrations behind him on Humberside, even if Hull boss Ruben Selles appears less-than-certain this stage about his most effective position in the final third.
Daniel Farke explains Leeds United loan exits for Joe Gelhardt and Charlie Crew
“With Charlie, we had the decision after [welcoming back] Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu,” Farke said during his Friday press conference, speaking ahead of this weekend’s Yorkshire derby with Danny Rohl’s Sheffield Wednesday side.
“It makes sense right now that he gets some minutes and grow in his personality.
“With Joffy, he’s been struggling for game time for months. His behaviour was always professional, but due to our offensive options, it was quite often the case he’s not even in the squad. A player at his age, it’s important to create value for us and finds his rhythm back to improve as a player.”
Gelhardt, the brightest of sparks in a Leeds side relegated from the Premier League back in 2022, has since fallen behind Mateo Joseph, Patrick Bamford and Joel Piroe in the pecking order.
And while the 22-year-old can also play out wide, Farke has Manor Solomon, Wilfried Gnonto, Largie Ramazani and Dan James to pick from on the wings.
Farke admits Gelhardt wanted to play more Championship football
“It was his big wish to use this window to find a solution to get more game time,” the German adds. “And because his behaviour was always spot on, we rewarded his wish that we allow him to go on loan.
“Overall I’m very happy with my squad.”
Farke does not entirely rule out an addition to Leeds’ frontline, however.
Leeds will have Joel Piroe back against Sheffield Wednesday while Bamford is making ‘progress’ too behind the scenes. Yet, the veteran striker’s ever-lengthening list of fitness issues – coupled with Joseph’s inconsistencies in the final third – means Farke is reluctant to close the door on any potential January business.
“The injury to Patrick [means] we may have to stay awake,” Farke concludes.
“We’re top of the league, in the Fourth Round of FA Cup. It’s not easy to find a solution that improves us, [has] great character, and is affordable.”
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