Daniel Farke dealing with two headaches but writing on wall for Leeds player
· Isaac Johnson · 2026-08-09 · nguồn gốc
Daniel Farke dealing with two headaches but writing on wall for Leeds United player
Leeds United have a lot of positives to take out of Saturday's game, but one player will have been left dismayed
Leeds United looked in fine fettle against an RB Leipzig squad set to play Champions League football next year.
That’s now three wins on the trot for Daniel Farke’s men, who have built up a good rhythm ahead of Wednesday’s meeting with Manchester United in Dublin. James Trafford might not have been at Saturday's game but Leeds still kept their German opponents out for 120 minutes, in light of the 60-minute halves.
A nod should be given to Alex Cairns, who is expected to be third choice goalkeeper once a new number two is brought in. He played the whole 120 minutes, made some decent saves and registered his second clean sheet of pre-season.
While a new-back-up goalkeeper is on the agenda, so is cover for left-back. Gabriel Gudmundsson is set to miss the opening Premier League game away at Nottingham Forest, and possibly the following home clash with Brentford, due to his suspected hamstring issue.
Farke has given a large hint that he is keen to get left-wing-back reinforcement soon. While that is one headache to deal with, he has another, better one too.
Longstaff given the starting nod
Sean Longstaff has enjoyed an excellent pre-season and is more than challenging for a starting spot on the opening day as things stand. That he started ahead of both Anton Stach and Ao Tanaka in midfield was deserved. It could be his place to lose in the final two friendlies.
Against Leipzig, the 28-year-old was both reliable and creative, always playing the right ball and threading through the lines. Another string to Longstaff’s bow is his set-piece ability, which was sharp on Saturday too.
Longstaff did not start a Premier League game after November last season, having suffered an ill-timed calf injury before the formation change to a back three, which meant there were only two central midfield slots up for grabs.
He will still have a tough battle on his hands for game time next campaign should Daniel Farke stick to the back three system, as is probable, but he has reminded everyone that he can still play a big role in this Leeds team. A good head-scratcher for the boss to have.
No minutes for Piroe
One of the big talking points after the game was the decision not to play Joel Piroe at all. While academy youngsters Jayden Lienou, Charlie Cresswell, Callum Mills and Rhys Chadwick all enjoyed a good run-out, Piroe stayed on the bench.
Speaking after the game, Farke confirmed this was not due to any kind of injury and explained this was because of the need for Calvert-Lewin to build up fitness after only playing 45 minutes in the USA, plus Lukas Nmecha’s higher position in the pecking order.
Farke did underline Piroe’s professionalism and application. However this was another blow for the striker. Not playing a 90-minute game against Liverpool in the US is one thing; not featuring in two hours in a home friendly is another.
Piroe wishes to stay at Leeds as his preference. But surely the writing is on the wall - writing everyone else can clearly see.
Rodon the right winger?
Joe Rodon was seen galloping up the right flank during the latter stages of last season but seemed to show a new burst of pace for his assist. Jayden Bogle played a perfect ball through for the centre-back to charge down the right and play a superb cross for Calvert-Lewin's opener.
This was not the last time he tried a venture up the channel. This potnetially offers an insight into what could be seen during the regular season, with Bogle himself meanwhile almost in the striker zone at times as he inverted once in the final third.
When this happened, the other two centre-backs held guard in front of goalkeeper Alex Cairns with one midfielder hanging slightly back too, just ahead of the defence - so cover was there. For context, Tarik Muharemovic did not replicate this on his side.
But Rodon’s pace was impressive and his cross was excellent. If Leeds ever have a crisis at right-back, Rodon could be one answer.