Leeds United have four first-team full-backs at Daniel Farke’s disposal currently, having added Gabriel Gudmundsson to their ranks.
The Swede has replaced Junior Firpo and added to Jayden Bogle, Sam Byram, and Isaac Schmidt. However, Byram turns 32 next month and Schmidt was utilised as a winger more last season.
It puts into focus the need for Leeds United to add more to the full-back position, with James Justin emerging as one such option. Now, talks between Justin and Leeds have advanced in recent days.
Amid all of this is Werder Bremen’s interest in Schmidt. There has since been an update on that situation, with the Swiss full-back or wing-back potentially heading on loan to the Bundesliga outfit.
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Isaac Schmidt update amid Werder Bremen interest
Farke has previously discussed Schmidt’s game time with numerous Leeds fans frustrated for Schmidt and in agreement that he should be utilised more regularly, be that as a full-back, wing-back, or winger.
Farke has explained he values Schmidt previously and it had even been suggested that Schmidt might stay at Leeds following promotion, but he was routinely overlooked after he signed from St. Gallen in the summer of last year.
Farke opted against playing Schmidt regularly and now he could move on after Schmidt threatened to leave Leeds previously if his game time didn’t change during a World Cup year and with designs on a Switzerland call-up.
It’s reported by Sky Sports Germany’s Marlon Irlbacher that Schmidt has agreed a move to Bremen, but a deal is ‘difficult to realise’ according to their latest information.
The agreement might be in place but they will only allow him to exit if a suitable replacement is found. Despite talk of Justin advancing, they claim there is no full-back currently imminently in sight for Leeds.
A deal for Schmidt could still come to fruition yet, and it is not a totally dead transfer whatsoever. However, Leeds have to finalise it and then a move could materialise amid Schmidt posting cryptically on social media of late.
How likely is Isaac Schmidt to start against Everton?
Bogle is a better option than Schmidt for Leeds, but he missed the final couple of pre-season games and there are fears over whether he will face Everton on Monday.
Ahead of the AC Milan game, it was revealed that Bogle had an issue with his hip flexor. Farke expected him to miss the game in Ireland, and he did so, with Schmidt starting on the right of the back four.
However, Bogle should make the Everton matchday squad. It’s unclear as of yet whether he will be able to start, but Graham Smyth confirmed he has been training on grass for around a week now.
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