What Daniel Farke said about Isaac Schmidt’s game time at Leeds United after impressing against Millwall

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If any Leeds United player came out of Saturday’s defeat to Millwall in The FA Cup at Elland Road, it was Isaac Schmidt. But it was only the Swiss star’s second start for Leeds.

Bought for £4.6m from Swiss side St. Gallen on deadline day in the 2024 summer window, Schmidt was bought to provide cover for Junior Firpo and Jayden Bogle but Sam Byram has been preferred to Schmidt.

Schmidt has won just nine appearances for Leeds, seven of which have come off the bench in England’s second tier – accumulating a total of just 25 minutes. But on Saturday, Schmidt earned a rare Leeds start.

Leeds struggled with Daniel Farke making 10 changes but if any Leeds player stood out, it was Schmidt. Next up for Leeds is Watford on Tuesday night and Farke was asked about his versatile full-back.

• READ MORE: Daniel Farke asked if he will hand Junior Firpo and Sam Byram a new contract

Daniel Farke says it’s been “tough” for Leeds man Isaac Schmidt

Following his second Leeds start on the weekend and ahead of Tuesday night’s 32nd Championship game of the season away at Watford, Farke was asked about Schmidt and his lack of Leeds game time.

The German manager says that Schmidt found it tough to begin with – admitting it took the full-back time to adapt to English football as well as overcoming injury. But now, he is impressing in training.

“Every player wants to play, it’s tricky. It’s the toughest part of the job, especially with a player with a great character like Isaac. He’s doing well in training, but he had to tend with injuries and needed time to adapt.

“Found his feet, delivering in training. It hurts to leave him out but it is not a decision against him. Bogle is the league’s stand-out performer. Byram is unbeaten when starting. It’s tough, happy we have Isaac.”

With Leeds now out of The FA Cup, will we see Schmidt again?

If Bogle and Firpo remain fit and away from suspension and Byram continues to be preferred as back-up to the duo with everything at stake in the last 15 games – might we have seen the last of Schmidt so far?

There is no way that Firpo or Bogle are overtaken by either Byram or Schmidt between now and the end of the season. With the next 15 games key for automatic promotion, Farke will want players he trusts.

At the moment, if he is presented with a decision between Byram and Schmidt, it is an obvious decision. Farke picks Byram – meaning it might be the last we have actually seen of £25k-a-week Schmidt this term.