Leeds United were excellent in a 4-1 victory over Hannover 96 on Wednesday afternoon and it saw plenty of Daniel Farke’s stars shine, but there were losers from the friendly too.
A Mateo Joseph brace, a goal carved out beautifully by Brenden Aaronson for Ilia Gruev and Joel Piroe’s powerful right-footed effort saw Leeds gallop towards a comfortable win against second-tier Hannover.
The likes of Joseph starred, while Jayden Bogle enjoyed an excellent debut and Aaronson returned with aplomb. But there were losers from the match, and one was not even playing in the 4-1 triumph.
Patrick Bamford drops to third-choice as Mateo Joseph shines
Bamford continued his rehab in Germany and was not part of the side that beat Hannover, nor even mentioned on the bench. The one-time England star continues to recover from last season’s surgery.
Dutch star Piroe has struggled over the last six months at Leeds, but his gorgeous strike reminded all of what he can do and certainly, Farke himself. Joseph also laid on two goals and staked his claim to start.
Both looked in good touch, with Bamford not yet even able to play in a friendly. Surely now, Bamford must be considered as the club’s third-choice striker and possibly place the £10m star’s future in doubt.
Joe Gelhardt’s luck is beginning to run out at Leeds
The striker is renowned for working hard, and working harder than most. But everything he tries seems to come up short and not even by his doing, now likely to be sitting in fourth position to start up front.
The former Sunderland loanee went on a brilliant run and got a shot off against Harrogate only for the ball to fall to teen Sam Chambers, who found the back of the net and the limelight shone on the latter.
But it was Gelhardt’s genius that made it. Again, against Hannover, a number of magic moments saw the former Wigan striker shine but continue to go under the radar. He needs a bit of luck, but it is missing.
Karl Darlow’s rare chance to shines goes beginning in Germany
The veteran goalkeeper struggled to get a go in the first team last season and when Illan Meslier did get suspended, he dislocated his thumb and third-choice stopper Kris Klaesson had to play three times.
On Wednesday, Darlow started against Hannover but such was Leeds’ dominance, he hardly got a touch. Certainly, the 2023 addition hardly had to make a save while his replacement Meslier was much busier.
A rare chance for Darlow to showcase why he should start over Meslier goes begging and with only two friendlies left and the opportunity for game time diminishing, Darlow is likely to remain second choice.
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
