Eight of Daniel Farke’s Leeds United squad have been on international duty during the last week, and two more out-on-loan Elland Road players were also involved.
Joe Rodon, Karl Darlow, and Ethan Ampadu suffered defeats to England and Belgium with Wales, while Gabi Gudmundsson was powerless to prevent a struggling Sweden losing to Switzerland and Kosovo.
Brenden Aaronson and Ilia Gruev were unused in their first games, but Jaka Bijol enjoyed two clean sheets with Slovenia. On Tuesday, Ao Tanaka helped Japan come from behind to hold on and beat Brazil 3-2.
Charlie Crew and Isaac Schmidt were also in action, but there were a handful of players left at Thorp Arch that might have hoped to be involved during the break, none more so than new signing Noah Okafor.
Murat Yakin responds to question about Leeds ace Noah Okafor
No other Swiss attacker had scored more than one goal in Europe’s top-five leagues going into the October break, and yet £18m signing Okafor was left out of Switzerland’s National Team this month.
Reports emerged after Okafor’s omission stating that Yakin had allowed past differences prevent him from calling Okafor up. Indeed, instances of ‘bad moods’ and ‘poor training performances’ were claimed.
Okafor did not play a single minute at Euro 2024, and went to Switzerland’s technical director Pierluigi Tami to complain. Yakin, reportedly, did not take well to Okafor going over his head to speak to Tami.
With the Swiss requiring another attacker after a 0-0 draw with Bijol’s Slovenia, Yakin was asked about Okafor. Switzerland manager Yakin said: “He’s in the flow. We will certainly keep an eye on him.”
Noah Okafor’s start at Leeds has been a major talking point
The 25-year-old has had a tumultuous start to life at Leeds. He might have scored twice, but Okafor has also been the centre of criticism from fans. Daniel Farke said he criticised Okafor at half-time at Wolves.
Jon Newsome said Leeds can’t afford passengers when discussing Okafor losing the ball in his own half during the win against Wolves. But, Okafor has gained praise for his goals, and his attacking ability.
Okafor has 24 caps for Switzerland, scoring two goals. But in the last 18 months, Okafor has only played twice for his country, both coming in November 2024. He deserves a chance, but it hinges on Yakin.
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