Leeds United’s squad are out in Germany for the next couple of weeks as Daniel Farke and his coaching team put the team through their paces ahead of the Premier League campaign.
The Whites flew from Stockholm to Germany after drawing 0-0 with Manchester United in Sweden, and the second phase of their pre-season is now underway. Leeds will play two friendlies out in Germany.
All five new signings have joined in with the squad, while two players are yet to meet up. Mateo Joseph has chosen not to return as things stand, with Farke’s comments on Joseph largely damning on Saturday.
Meanwhile, Brenden Aaronson is back on Tuesday after representing the United States in The Gold Cup, who lost in the final to Mexico. But two others with a point to prove have been putting in the work.
The two players that stayed behind for extra training on Monday
Graham Smyth is out in Germany with the Yorkshire Evening Post, covering Leeds’ training camp over the next fortnight before Farke’s Leeds return to take on La Liga side Villarreal on August 2 at Elland Road.
Smyth reports that Jack Harrison and Lukas Nmecha did some extra training after the session, to work on their finishing. Two players with rather a large point to prove not only to supporters, but to Farke himself.
Harrison, for obvious reasons. The winger has returned after two seasons on loan at Everton and Leeds fans were heard booing him on Saturday. Yet, Farke started the £11m man against his old academy side.
Farke opened the door for a possible Harrison return on Saturday in his post-match comments, while Nmecha started in the front three alongside Harrison. Fans reacted in a mixed manner after his arrival.
Many understand the need for experienced, top-tier quality to provide cover up top. But Nmecha has spent a large part of his four years at Wolfsburg out injured, managing just 80 outings in four seasons.
Jack Harrison could well start against Everton on August 18
The 28-year-old is back at Leeds after being hounded for using Victor Orta’s loan relegation clause in the summer of 2023. That clause remained active in 2024 and the winger re-used it, rejoining Everton.
But after nine goals and assists in 73 Everton games, Angus Kinnear’s new side have opted against doing a permanent deal for Harrison. He is back at Leeds, where amazingly, he has three years left on his deal.
If sold, Leeds would make a loss on Harrison and therefore, he is being reintegrated. With Leeds yet to replace Manor Solomon, there is every chance that Harrison starts against Everton come August 18.
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