Daniel Farke has been speaking about his midfield options during Thursday’s press conference ahead of Saturday’s Championship clash between Leeds United and Burnley at Elland Road.
It has been a major turnover of players in this position during the summer. Notably, Ethan Ampadu is back in midfield after filling in for Pascal Struijk at centre-back during the second half of last season.
Ilia Gruev has been moved forward in the more box-to-box role alongside Ampadu, with the Bulgaria star having replaced Ampadu last season. Then, both Glen Kamara and Archie Gray have been sold by Leeds.
They have been replacing by the signings of Joe Rothwell on loan from Bournemouth and then the late signing of Japan star Ao Tanaka from Fortuna Dusseldorf, costing Leeds a fee believed to be of £3.4m.
Farke praises Rothwell despite player not being in the spotlight
Rothwell has featured in all five of Leeds’ games so far, starting only the 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat in the club’s second game to Middlesbrough. A freak result in an otherwise solid start to the 2024-25 season.
Farke heaped praise on the 29-year-old midfielder who has brought with him a wealth of Championship experience. One that includes helping Southampton beat Leeds in last season’s play-off final at Wembley.
“He’s not been in the spotlight so far but I want to mention Joe Rothwell. He has not played one bad pass since I’ve started working with him. I like his passing skills, I like what he did in pre-season.
“Due to the competition we have in this position, Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu are top. With Ao and Joe we are really good in this position, the deeper midfield positions,” Farke told Thursday’s press conference.
How Ross McCormack reacted to the signing of Rothwell
The ball-playing midfielder has looked tidy in possession and done well when given a chance. But he may be thinking now that he is set for a season on the bench, following the arrival of Japan star Tanaka.
Especially, with Gruev currently starting in the role that both Tanaka and Rothwell want to start in. It will be interesting to see how Farke starts against Burnley, whether he throws Tanaka in at the deep end.
Ross McCormack was excited by the arrival of Rothwell at Elland Road in the summer, describing the star’s move to Leeds as a “big signing”. Amid Farke’s new praise of Rothwell, maybe he will get his chance soon.
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