Jack Harrison has returned to Leeds United after two years away this summer and his attitude in training has now been revealed.
It’s been a summer of joy and celebration for Leeds United as fans eagerly await the club’s return to the Premier League, even if some struggles in the transfer window have been a cause for concern.
But with Sean Longstaff soon to join Jaka Bijol, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Sebastiaan Bornauw and Lukas Nmecha at the club, optimism remains high ahead of the opening day.
Another fresh arrival at Thorp Arch this summer is a familiar face, however, as Jack Harrison has returned to the club following his two-year loan spell at Everton, causing the mood to sour slightly amongst many supporters.
Harrison is not a popular figure at Elland Road after he opted to take advantage of the loan exit clause in his freshly signed new five-year contract to head for the exit after top-flight relegation in 2023.
But two years later, Harrison is back with the club, with Leeds now back in the Premier League, and his loan clause now inactive.
Daniel Farke has a big decision to make on his future, and with fans remaining angry at his return, it’s been revealed that Harrison has been working hard and professionally in training.
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Jack Harrison has been ‘spot on’ in Leeds United training
Writing in his newsletter for the Yorkshire Evening Post, journalist Graham Smyth went into detail on Harrison’s return to Leeds for pre-season and the complicated predicament all parties find themselves in.
Selling Harrison, or a loan exit at the very least, would be the best result to avoid further backlash from fans and help Leeds on the PSR front, but it’s looking difficult.
Due to Harrison’s struggles at Everton last season, in which he got just one goal and one assist in 38 games, the Toffees are not knocking the door down to sign him permanently, and no other suitors have come forward.
Given the 28-year-old still has three years remaining on his contract, he is under no pressure to leave and potential clubs are unlikely to want to pay his hefty wages.
Despite the stalemate, Smyth reports that Harrison has been ‘spot on’ in training and getting his head down ahead of potentially being involved in the squad next season.
It’s reported: “Sources close to the player say that he was never going to refuse to report back and club sources say his attitude has been spot on, but there is no ignoring the elephant in the room.
“This is a re-marriage of inconvenience and if it was to be made official when Everton visit Elland Road for the first game of the new season, there would be thousands rising to their feet to speak now in objection rather than holding their peace.”
It’s added that, since his first day back at training, he has: “By all accounts, done what all Leeds United footballers are expected to do. He’s trained hard, like a professional should.”
Is there a way back for Jack Harrison at Leeds United?
Fans might not be pleased with Harrison being back at the club, but is there still a future for him at Elland Road?
Brenden Aaronson and Max Wober both left on loan following relegation, too, but were reintegrated into the squad and played roles in last season’s title triumph.
Though Aaronson still has critics, he did redeem himself in the eyes of fans by being available for every game and contributing towards 10 goals.
Wober, who has now left on loan again for Werder Bremen and missed most of the season with injury, meanwhile, still received boos during the final home game of the season.
Harrison doesn’t even have the leg of coming back when things were hard in the Championship to stand on. If he does appear at Elland Road again, his reception is not going to be pleasant.
Yet, if an exit isn’t possible, Farke may as well utilise him than let his sizeable salary go to complete waste.
Leeds are short on wingers, with Willy Gnonto, Dan James and Largie Ramazani the only options at present, so keeping Harrison would fill out the squad and help save some funds (though a winger, like Igo Paixao, should still be signed regardless of whether he stays or not).
Ironically, Harrison does fit the profile of player Farke has been looking for this summer, too, given his age and ample Premier League experience.
If he does stay, he will have to perform extremely well to get fans back on his side.
Harrison’s future will soon become clearer if he is involved in the pre-season friendly against Manchester United on Saturday or not.
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