Dan James’ misery could be Largie Ramazani’s fortune as Leeds United suffer yet another untimely injury blow ahead of the Championship run-in.
While confirming that Pascal Struijk will not play again in 2024/25 due to a foot fracture which will keep the defender out for over two months, Farke also admitted that Leeds will be without Dan James too for Saturday’s visit of Preston North End.
The jet-heeled Wales international had earned the table-toppers four points in their last two outings. He scored a stunning equaliser at Luton Town last weekend.
Three days later, James ‘made the difference’ against Middlesbrough. His second-minute strike enough to secure Leeds United only a second win in seven at the home of his former Manchester United coach Michael Carrick.
James picked up a hamstring injury at the Riverside, however, meaning Leeds’ most in-form forward will be conspicuous by his absence against Preston.
On the other hand, this may be the opportunity Largie Ramazani has been waiting for as the £10 million summer signing looks to respond to his manager’s criticism.
Dan James injury creates a chance for Largie Ramazani at Leeds United
It felt telling that, as Leeds chased a late winner at Luton, Farke opted to keep the one-time La Liga starlet on the bench.
Farke feels that Largie Ramazani is capable of ‘magic’ moments. But the German also added that there were question marks surrounding the winger’s ‘focus’, Ramazani falling foul of Farke’s ‘non-negotiables’.
In his Friday presser, however, Farke took the time reiterate just how highly the former Belgium Under-21 international is regarded at Elland Road. A timely reminder of his duties was not, as some over-excitable pundits had suggested, the beginning of the end for Ramazani at Leeds.
“He knows how much we like him and we trust him,” Farke explains. “Out of a small detail, everyone is making a big, big thing. There was lots of talk about Largie and why he’s not playing or whatever.
“He knows he has a manager who fully trusts him and a group of team members who fully trust and believe in him. We are so, so tight together.
“Sometimes, you can also remind the players what is non-negotiable and what we want to see. With a group of nearly 30 players, just 11 can play. Sometimes, there are also a few things [a player can improve on].
“I like to give an honest answer about what we want to see. I think its important that the players also know this.
“But, nevertheless, we all know how many skills [Ramazani] has. And his behaviour as a member of the group, he is a perfect team member.”
Farke praises Ramazani attitude ahead of Preston North End clash
As Ramazani joined Farke in celebrating Leeds’ tense victory at Middlesbrough, there was clearly no ill-feeling between player and coach.
And, while his tally of Championship starts stands at just seven, Farke is also keen to highlight the importance of his decisive goals against the likes of Sheffield Wednesday, Watford and Norwich City.
“He always celebrates with other players,” the two-time Championship champion explains. “He is always respectful in our conversations. Trustful, open and honest. He’s pretty self-critical and this is what I like a lot.
“He had a really, really good start to the season. Sometimes, as a young player, you can become a bit ‘big time’ but he is not at all like this. He is always self-critical and, when there are some poor performances, he is the first one who holds his hands up.
“It’s not only the players who are 90 minutes on the pitch, it is about the whole group. Everyone chips in and we need all the players. We have needed Largie. We would not be in this position if Largie had not scored the goals he had scored, or the assists.
“We need him for the run-in.”
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