Daniel Farke has now started the same Leeds United XI in the last four Premier League games. A key element of Farke’s tactics in his two and a bit years at Elland Road has been fluency and consistency.
It often led to supporters calling for a change while in the Championship, urging Farke to try something new. But often, those calls last would fall on deaf ears. Farke stuck to his guns on many starting XI issues.
Illan Meslier was eventually axed with seven games left last term, but only after Leeds fans had started to call Farke to drop him after his mistakes against Hull in January. Brenden Aaronson remains a key player.
He might have done well in his four starts this season, but fans were begging Farke to make a change and drop Aaronson last season. The American started 44 of 46 Championship matches on the way to the title.
Farke does not change on a whim, something Jaka Bijol and Ao Tanaka have found out. Jack Harrison is also vying for a Premier League start but the returning Leeds man is yet to be named in the starting XI.
Ethan Sonis says Jack Harrison is ‘world-class’ off the pitch
Harrison is currently in Marbella with former MLS and Frankfurt ace Ethan Sonis, who is now working as a coach for elite players to work individually during the off-season, or when players have a bit of time off.
Speaking to Leeds Live, Sonis says Harrison’s work rate and application is “world class” off the pitch and claims the former Everton loanee is more dedicated to the cause than 80% of his Elland Road teammates.
“I want people to really know the true side of Jack,” Sonis said. “I know his history with Leeds in the past. He’s working extremely hard for the group and I don’t see other players at Leeds as prepared as him.
“He’s world-class when it comes to putting in the work, staying sharp. After that, it’s about performance on the field when it really counts. The guy is more dedicated, I think, than 80% of those guys at Leeds.
“He wants Leeds to stay in the Premier League, he wants to help in any way he can. The situation of him being on the bench is fine but he’s as sharp and as ready to go as a starter, if not better, in my opinion.”
Why Jack Harrison is being made to wait for Leeds start
Harrison last started a Premier League game for Leeds back in May 2023, when The Whites were easily beaten by Tottenham at Elland Road. Sam Allardyce’s final game of four, resulted in a 4-1 hammering.
It also saw him score, his last goal for Leeds. This season, £11m Harrison has only started in the Carabao Cup for Leeds and while fans were not happy with his return, there have been calls for Harrison to start.
Currently, Noah Okafor is first choice on the left and Aaronson, on the right. There are doubts about Leeds’ new £18m man while Aaronson is not the long-term solution. Harrison could get a start, soon.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
