Daniel Farke has named the same starting line-up in Leeds United’s last four Premier League games, and it means that some big players are being forced to wait their turn.
Often, players open up a bit more when back in their home countries on international duty. Both Jaka Bijol and Ao Tanaka have underlined their frustration at not starting matches for Leeds in recent weeks.
Tanaka started the first two Premier League games but injury has allowed Sean Longstaff to come in, and the £15m signing has grasped the opportunity with both hands. Bijol is yet to start a single league game.
His suspension, carried over from Serie A, saw him miss the Everton game, and Pascal Struijk has stayed in the starting XI since. But they are not the only ones, with Jack Harrison also awaiting his first league start.
How Jack Harrison feels about warming Leeds bench so far
During the international break, a number of players not called up by their countries have jetted off for warm-weather training camps. Noah Okafor was omitted from the Switzerland national team this break.
He’s out in Dubai, while Harrison has flown to Marbella to work with individual player coach Ethan Solis. Speaking to Leeds Live, Solis explains what Harrison really thinks about being left on the Leeds bench.
“Jack respects the decisions, he’s humble, he’s just ready. But I do think like any football player, once you have three, four, five games under your belt consistently, a goal, your confidence skyrockets from there.
“He’s ready to go if you need him, if there’s an injury, and he’s going to have a string of games. I think you’ll get the best out of him. The guy’s not shy of putting in a shift and working his tail off on the field.”
“He’s happy. He’s in his best mental state I’ve ever seen him. He wants to play like any player right, but he understands the situation. Mood-wise, I’ve never seen him this happy,” Solis added, discussing Harrison.
Jack Harrison is an expensive player to be sat on the bench
Harrison signed a five-year deal at Leeds shortly after his move to Leicester fell through in January 2023. It saw him agree a contract until the summer of 2028, which Capology claims is worth a huge £90k a week.
Incredibly, that is Leeds’ second-biggest wage at the moment, behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who is said to be on £100k a week. There is no doubt that Harrison will have an impact at some stage this season.
But while he warms the bench and plays second fiddle to the likes of Okafor, he is an expensive burden that Leeds are having to live with. Farke has been very complimentary of Harrison since his return.
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