Daniel Farke’s transfer plan shows he’s ready to place his faith in ‘brilliant’ Leeds 19-year-old

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With Leeds United beginning their Championship campaign against Portsmouth on Saturday, Daniel Farke will be a lot happier than he was 12 months ago with the state of his current squad.

Even after the sale of Crysencio Summerville, Leeds are well-stocked in most positions on the pitch and those that needed to go or had to be sold, have gone. Last season, that was not the case at this stage.

Players were still attempting to leave, going or deals were done as close to the deadline as possible. The Whites look well-balanced after four consecutive pre-season wins, the last coming against Valencia.

But there are options that still need to be addressed. Farke has made it clear he would like another full-back and a replacement for Glen Kamara, while the need for a winger is huge after Summerville’s exit.

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Graham Smyth thinks Leeds will make three new signings, too. A full-back, an attacking midfielder and a replacement for Summerville, saying as much prior to the win over Valencia in reply to a Leeds supporter.

Focus on bringing in a new centre-back then, seems unlikely. That is despite the losses of both Charlie Cresswell and Liam Cooper, with former Leeds captain Cooper said to have held talks with Watford of late.

Joe Rodon is back permanently, as is Max Wober while Pascal Struijk is back from injury. Ethan Ampadu has moved into midfield, leaving Leeds a little light in the middle of defence, albeit for James Debayo.

Debayo has been excellent throughout the summer for Leeds

Described as “brilliant” by Michael Skubala, Debayo has featured in all four pre-season games for Leeds and even started at Harrogate. He came on at right-back in Germany, though naturally a centre-back.

Farke will want four solid options at centre-back with Ampadu back in midfield, but Cresswell’s exit leaves the fourth option up for grabs behind Rodon, Struijk and Wober. But, Leeds are not in for a centre-back.

Given his excellent pre-season form, Farke’s willingness to use him and that Leeds are not after a centre-back, it looks as if Debayo will be given a promotion to fourth-choice centre-back for the 24-25 season.