One of Leeds United’s summer signings could be forced to wait for his return to the first team, according to journalist Beren Cross.
Daniel Farke has not offered all of his summer signings an easy route into the Leeds side, as they have enjoyed a solid start to life in the Premier League.
Jaka Bijol has been a high-profile absentee from the Leeds first team this season, as Pascal Struijk’s strong form has earned interest from several top-flight sides and kept the Slovenian international out of the side.
Sebastiaan Bornauw has also been made to wait for an opportunity in the Leeds team, as Farke has elected to stick with Joe Rodon and Struijk at the heart of Leeds’ defence.
Goalkeeper Lucas Perri is another signing who has been absent in recent weeks, after picking up an injury during the last international break. Now, the Athletic’s Cross has predicted that he will not make an immediate return to the Leeds team when he recovers from injury.
Lucas Perri could be forced to wait for Leeds United return
Speaking on the Square Ball podcast, Cross admitted that the £15.6 million signing from Lyon may not walk straight back into the Leeds first team.
According to Cross, Darlow was not at fault for either of Tottenham’s goals, and the Wales international will think he has done enough to retain his place in the Leeds side.
Cross said: “Perri vs Darlow is an interesting debate. I would argue it’s probably clear now you don’t drop Darlow. I think he’s done more than enough in the games up to now, but that will be an ongoing debate again.
“Like with Struijk and Bijol, if Darlow starts chucking one or two in, then the option is there to bring Perri back in.”
He added: “[Farke] always insists that it’s a meritocracy. He always says, if you train hard and play well and work well for me and do what I ask, you know, I will reward you with minutes.
“I think if he dropped Darlow, Karl Darlow would be like, well, what else could I have done? What else could I do? He made some amazing saves at Fulham, some great saves at Wolves. Last week was pretty good as well. Today, beaten by two deflections.
“I think he would say, ‘What else can I do?’ Why am I here if not to play like that and then keep my place in the team?”
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Karl Darlow deserves an extended run under Daniel Farke
Darlow’s appearance against Fulham was his first Premier League start for four years, and the Leeds goalkeeper has acquitted himself well since then, helping Leeds claim four points from their next two games.
The Wales international earned his place in the Leeds team during the run to the Championship title and, crucially, he has looked reliable ever since.
According to the stats from FotMob, Darlow has not made a single error leading to a goal in league matches since displacing former number one Illan Meslier from the Leeds side.
Farke has retained faith in several of his promotion heroes since Leeds’ top-flight return. Perri’s return will be the next test of his loyalty.
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