Daniel Farke says Leeds United player is still ‘crucial’ despite Carlton Palmer urging 49ers to sell him in January

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Daniel Farke has been speaking ahead of Tuesday night’s clash against Watford and he has defended a player that is struggling to make an impact in his Leeds United squad.

Leeds go into Tuesday night’s game in high spirits, having beaten a promotion rival in Sheffield United last time out. A side that had previously gone unbeaten in the Championship under boss Chris Wilder.

It sees Leeds climb to third place in the table at this early stage, with Daniel Farke’s Leeds three points better off than they were last season. The Whites have started a whole lot better than they did last term.

Ahead of Tuesday night, Leeds will be without Ethan Ampadu, Max Wober and Ilia Gruev but concerns over Wilfried Gnonto were brushed aside by Farke. The Leeds boss also commented on another attacker.

• READ MORE: Leeds United trio at risk and Daniel Farke’s woeful Watford record in tonight’s preview

Farke defends “legend” Patrick Bamford after being urged to sell

Patrick Bamford is struggling to make an impact. After a super run of form during the second half of last season, one-time England man Bamford suffer an injury that ruled him out of the run-in and play-offs.

Farke thinks Leeds would be in the Premier League if Bamford stayed fit. Questioned on whether Bamford is frustrated at a lack of game time now and being third choice, Farke reminded all that he is still “crucial”.

“My appreciation for Patrick and how important he is will never go away, he is a crucial player, he is already a Leeds legend but we also have to take into account the reality,” Farke told Monday’s presser.

“But I am sure he will be important for us this season and no one has to be concerned about his mental state. He is much too smart to be struggling,” the Leeds manager continued when discussing Bamford.

Farke’s comments come after Carlton Palmer urges Leeds to sell

Former Leeds midfielder Carlton Palmer was discussing Bamford’s future this month. Palmer thinks that Bamford’s “time is up” at Leeds and urged his old club to sell Bamford in the January transfer window.

There is a debate to be had in selling Bamford. Foreign clubs showed interest in signing Bamford from Leeds in the summer, and Bamford himself said he wanted to leave Leeds back in the summer of 2022.

But Bamford still has two years remaining on his contract at Elland Road and the chances are, no other club will want to take a risk on the former Chelsea man given he is one of the club’s top earners.