Leeds United have been knocked out of The FA Cup but three players on the Elland Road books remain in the competition, with two finding themselves in the fifth round of the competition.
Daniel Farke made 10 changes to his Leeds side on Saturday afternoon, as The Whites faced Millwall at Elland Road. Inevitably, a 2-0 defeat surfaced with winger Femi Azeez scoring a brace for Alex Neil’s side.
It sees Leeds able to now focus on the league and the remaining 15 Championship fixtures and perhaps behind closed doors, Farke will be happy that Leeds no longer have to contend with another competition.
While Leeds are out of the competition, three players on the books at Elland Road are still in the FA Cup with two securing a place in the last 16 – while Charlie Crew’s Doncaster face Palace on Monday night.
Leeds fans react as Darko Gyabi shines in Plymouth giant-killing
Sam Greenwood’s Preston saw off the challenge of League One side Wycombe to reach the fifth round with a penalty-shootout win, while Darko Gyabi helped Plymouth beat Premier League leaders Liverpool.
Gyabi played a key role in Plymouth’s shock win, winning the penalty with some super technique that saw Harvey Elliott handle the ball in the area. Former Rangers man Ryan Hardie netted the resulting penalty.
Plymouth held on as another old Ibrox star Nikola Katic starred in defence, knocking Arne Slot’s outfit out of the competition. Leeds fans reacted to £5m Gyabi’s display, urging The 49ers not to sell him soon.
One Leeds supporter suggested Gyabi would be a “nice replacement for Rothwell” next season, with on-loan Bournemouth man Rothwell set to cost £7.5m. Another onlooker said he had been “very good”.
The no.10 role has been an issue for Leeds in the transfer window and another fan reckons that Gyabi might be the answer to Leeds’ lack of cover for Brenden Aaronson, saying he had “looked great there”.
One fan said Gyabi had “looked quality” against a Liverpool side that included Diogo Jota, Fede Chiesa and Luis Diaz. Josuha Guilavogui struggled on Saturday and one Leeds fan said Gyabi is a better player.
Where does Darko Gyabi’s future lie beyond Plymouth loan spell
Come the summer, Gyabi will have spent 18 months on loan at Plymouth and is due to enter the last 12 months of a four-year deal he signed in the summer of 2022 – with Kalvin Phillips going to Man City.
Leeds had a recall clause for Gyabi in January but chose not to use it and that perhaps says everything about his future at Elland Road. Especially, if Leeds are promoted, the chances are he has little future.
But there is no doubt that Gyabi is impressing at Plymouth. Argyle are likely to be relegated come the end of the season and Plymouth won’t be able to sign him permanently – meaning, he is in the shop window.
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