Daniel Farke has some big decisions to make to his Leeds United side ahead of Friday night’s clash against West Ham, having suffered two successive defeats to Tottenham and Burnley.
The loss to Tottenham was unlucky. Leeds should have scored more than once against Spurs before the October break, but the two goals conceded were both deflected. Largely, a positive performance.
Against Burnley however, it was much more concerning. Leeds dominated again, but it was a display that was littered with mistakes and the need to freshen the side up is high, with West Ham coming to town.
Farke said Willy Gnonto, Noah Okafor, Ethan Ampadu and Pascal Struijk are doubts to face The Hammers, but will make some late calls. Below, are six changes Farke could make to his Leeds side on Friday.
The six changes Daniel Farke could make as Leeds face Burnley
Lucas Perri in for Karl Darlow
Darlow was applauded for his form when replacing the injured Perri. But the fact is this: Darlow has 0 clean sheets in five Premier League games, Perri has two in three. If Perri is fit, the Brazilian should start.
Perri was on the bench against Burnley after overcoming his quad injury, but Darlow started due to Perri lacking fitness. After a week of training, Perri is available to start and Farke needs to make a change
Jaka Bijol in for Pascal Struijk
Aidy White thinks this change “has to” happen. Struijk has not done anything massively wrong, but there is a concern that Struijk doesn’t win enough duels. Jaka Bijol certainly does; the defender is raring to go.
Bijol kept two clean sheets for Slovenia during the international break, playing every minute for Slovenia. Struijk missed training on Wednesday but even if he’s fit, Bijol has got to be given a run in the side.
Ilia Gruev in for Ethan Ampadu
If Ethan Ampadu is even half-fit, the Leeds skipper starts. This is a player that has Farke’s trust implicitly, often describing the Wales player as the most important member of the side. Ampadu is the heartbeat.
But, if Ampadu’s knock is going to keep him out longer than just Wednesday’s session, then Ilia Gruev is the man to replace him. Gruev is the best alternative as a holding midfielder, even if a large drop off.
Ao Tanaka in for Anton Stach
Anton Stach has been playing with a broken finger and a rib injury, and according to Farke, this is the reason for his drop off in form. Stach started well, even catching the attention of Julian Nagelsmann.
Tanaka is begging to start, having done so in the first two games before getting injured himself. It would be a surprise to see Tanaka come in, but £19.9m summer signing Stach’s level has dropped recently.
Dan James in for Brenden Aaronson
While Ampadu and Stach being dropped seems unlikely compared to Darlow and Struijk, Aaronson is the one that Farke simply has to do, for Aaronson’s sake. The American missed a sitter against Burnley.
Aaronson gets more than his fair share of criticism for several reasons, including his decision to go on loan to Union Berlin, and that hasn’t changed after his miss. If Dan James can start, he really should.
Noah Okafor in for Jack Harrison
Harrison came in against Burnley, and while he missed chances, he did make things happen. With Okafor, Gnonto and James still doubts and perhaps not ready to start, Harrison is likely to retain his starting spot.
However, if Okafor is able to give Leeds and Farke an hour, then the Switzerland man should start. Farke hinted that Okafor could start given he hasn’t been sidelined for long. Another one to consider for Farke.
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