Daniel Farke has given an update on how he sees the current state of his Leeds United squad.
Farke was speaking after Leeds’ 4-1 behind-closed-doors friendly win over Hannover earlier today, in what is the second emphatic victory of pre-season so far.
Aside from Alex Cairns, who was one of three unused subs, all of Leeds‘ new signings were involved in some capacity earlier this afternoon, with Jayden Bogle even managing to provide his first assist.
Bogle came off the bench at half-time alongside fellow new addition Joe Rothwell, while Joe Rodon was in the starting line-up at the back.
Leeds are still looking at new additions this summer and Farke has now come out and revealed exactly where he feels his squad is currently lacking.
Farke earmarks position of priority for Leeds
Despite the addition of Rothwell, Leeds’ midfield options are actually weaker now than they were heading into the window.
Leeds have lost both Archie Gray and Glen Kamara, leaving them in a midfielder short. Having said that, youngster Charlie Crew is very much knocking on the door.
However, it has already been revealed that Leeds do not see Rothwell as a like-for-like replacement for Kamara, particularly given that he joined before the 28-year-old left for Rennes.
Rothwell is expected to add both goals and ball-carrying ability to Leeds’ midfield options, but speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Farke says it is a position he remains determined to strengthen.
He said: “Overall we have lost two really good midfield options with Archie Gray and also Glen Kamara. We brought in Joe Rothwell, also a pretty experienced player and also good in possession, can chip in with goals and great set-pieces.
“So happy so far, but especially in the central position we won’t fall asleep until the window is really closed. And yes, definitely. In many positions we are already more or less done in our planning but it’s definitely one of the positions where we could do perhaps also with a new addition.
“But it has to fit in all the way. It has to be a quality player. It needs to be good personality, has to bring the skills that we need and yes also to be affordable. These topics have to come together but it’s one of the areas where we will stay awake.”
Farke also eyeing new full-back at Leeds
Leeds sent out a statement of intent to the rest of the division by signing Bogle, one of the best right-backs in the league, from a potential promotion rival.
Depth wise, however, Leeds are a little light at full-back having lost Connor Roberts, Gray and Jamie Shackleton. That leaves Sam Byram as the only cover on both sides of the pitch.
Farke has spoken of his delight at securing the signature of Bogle over the weekend but still believes another is required due to the amount of players they have lost.
He said: “Yes, the full-back position was definitely something we had to look at because we have lost several players, not just Archie Gray who played there, but also Jamie Shackleton who played there.
“We had Connor Roberts who left us, so we had more or less just Junior Firpo and Sam Byram. It was important also to bring in a top, top solution and Jayden [Bogle] is definitely a top solution.
“He’s proved in this league but also during his career, he’s still at an age where he can even improve and develop further on and obviously homegrown. So top quality and he is a great, great lad, great mentality, the team loves him already and especially also his strengths going forward and chipping in with assists.
“He has shown this even today. We thought it would be a good deal but it’s too early right now to praise him too much. But we got the feeling it was a no brainer.”
Receive a digest of our best Leeds content each week direct to your mailbox
