Daniel Farke has been speaking about Leeds United’s lack of activity in the January window and has explained why Leeds did not sign a player on loan from a Premier League club, like Cameron Archer.
Leeds were strongly linked with a move for Cameron Archer and even made a loan bid for the striker, but Southampton rejected it. Going into deadline day, there was a confidence that Leeds might get a deal.
But, The Whites ended the window without the signing of the England U21 striker – a player that Charlie Cresswell described as “deadly”. Archer remains at Southampton, with The Saints likely to be relegated.
Leeds are in action on Wednesday night as The Whites go to Coventry City to take on Frank Lampard’s side and Farke explained why Leeds did not make any signings, or loan signings from top-tier clubs.
Daniel Farke explains Leeds United not signing Cameron Archer
A £15m signing from Sheffield United last summer, Archer has scored five goals for Southampton this season. However, three of those five goals have come in the Carabao Cup and Saints have changed boss.
Archer was the priority for Leeds going into deadline day with Joe Gelhardt going out on loan, while Patrick Bamford is out injured again. Farke explained the difficulty in securing a loan deal at Elland Road.
“Sometimes, a loan is available. Who strengthens a team which is top of the table? Have to go for a loan player at a higher level. The Premier League is possible, but if the player is available there is a reason why.
“It means he doesn’t belong to the core group to the 17 or 18 players that are important to this side. There is a problem – quality, personal reasons, fallout with the manager, just coming back from injury.
“But it means he is not in his full rhythm or full of confidence. Does a player that doesn’t make it into the top 17, 18 players in the bottom half of the Premier League really improve Leeds? Difficult I would say.”
Daniel Farke explanation makes sense but Leeds still lacking
Securing a loan deal is difficult. Farke’s reasoning makes sense, Leeds would have had to sign a player from a higher level to improve Leeds but how can he guarantee a start or game time in this Leeds side.
Especially, for a player that is not in the perfect rhythm, given the reason they are available for a loan. But while Farke’s explanation makes sense, Leeds are still lacking up top and now, The Whites need luck.
They need luck in the sense that they do not mirror what happened late September, early October. Two key long-term injuries in back-to-back games for Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev. It’s a big gamble.
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