With Leeds United leading 3-0 on Saturday afternoon, Daniel Farke chose to hand three debuts to the likes of Charlie Crew, Sam Chambers and Josuha Guilavogui against Plymouth.
Huge moments for Crew and Chambers who made professional debuts at club level, with Crew already a full Wales international. For Guilavogui, the 34-year-old veteran made his debut for Leeds after joining.
Daniel Farke was impressed with Guilavogui – who turned 34 in September – and Chambers, a player half Guilavogui’s age. The France star joined Leeds as a free transfer after his deal at Mainz came to an end.
He impressed, keeping the ball well as Leeds looked to see out the remaining 15 minutes of the games. It also saw Joe Rothwell earn a much-deserved rest after a string of starts following two midfield injuries.
Josuha Guilavogui does something not done at Leeds for 13 years
Under Farke and in the last six years, Leeds have focused on signing young players. It is rare that another player over the age of 30 has been identified as a target by Leeds and subsequently signed by the Whites.
But Guilavogui is an emergency signing and he has been drafted in to provide cover, even if he is now 34. Opta’s Jonny Cooper posted an intriguing stat regarding Guilavogui’s Leeds debut against Plymouth.
He said: “Josuha Guilavogui is Leeds United’s oldest outfield debutant since Michael Brown in 2011. On the same day, Sam Chambers is the first player born after we started our League One campaign in 2007.”
When Michael Brown made his debut for Leeds and against who…
Simon Grayson actually lured Michael Brown to Leeds back in the summer of 2011 and on the opening day of the season, the former Sheffield United, Tottenham and Fulham star made his debut for Leeds.
A 3-1 away loss to the Saints that saw Max Gradel’s goal no match for efforts from David Connolly, Dean Hammond and Adam Lallana. Brown was over 34 and a half when starting for Leeds on August 11, 2011.
But in that 13-year period, Guilavogui eclipsed any other player since Brown’s debut in terms of age. The Frenchman has signed a 12-month contract and is clearly aware that he will only be a back-up option.
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