What Lukas Nmecha once said shocked him about English football tells Daniel Farke what he must avoid at Leeds

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This won’t be Lukas Nmecha’s first rodeo in England as the new Leeds United signing looks to settle in.

Recently departing Wolfsburg, Nmecha showed signs why Daniel Farke opted to make him the first summer signing of 2025.

Although he was unlucky with injuries in Germany, there is still plenty of quality to be shown by the 26-year-old.

To back up that fact, Pep Guardiola said Nmecha was ‘hungry’ at a young age and may still have that hunger to show at Elland Road.

But like every player, Nmecha had some bumps along the way, and Leeds fans won’t like to hear it was in England.

New Leeds United star Lukas Nmecha on his time in England

The striker has played for both England and Germany through all the different age groups, making him a unique player.

There was no doubt that Farke would sign Bundesliga players this summer, which is something Andrea Radrizzani said to avoid.

But Nmecha did flourish at times in Germany, and will still be aiming to achieve the promise set by Guardiola.

However, as mentioned, his time in England was a struggle, and speaking to The Athletic in 2022, he highlighted something from his loan tenure at Preston North End.

“I think (at Anderlecht) it was a little bit of a step back from the Bundesliga and the Championship, where it was just fighting,” said Nmecha.

“Especially the Championship. It wasn’t something that I grew up with, playing that way. I’m sure it improved me physically and mentally, but I’ve been brought up in the City academy, where it was always about ball possession.”

“I remember my first game for Preston — Swansea away. I’d never received so many long balls before in my life. It was pouring it down with rain, it was a horrible game, and it was like a shock.”

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Farke must avoid long-ball football at Leeds next season

When a team gets promoted to the Premier League, they might opt to change their approach.

In Farke’s position, this would be going from his possession-based football to a more direct approach.

But judging by what Nmecha said, this must be avoided at all costs, as the striker won’t be able to cope, and his best season in his career at Anderlecht proves that to get the best out of him, play along the floor.

Luckily for the German, Farke’s Leeds ranked 24th in the Championship last season for most accurate long balls attempted per 90 with 17.3.

The 49ers have clearly done their research as Nmecha is ‘optimistic’ for the season ahead, and fans will no doubt get behind the 26-year-old.