Although Leeds United has a strong enough team to be promoted to the Premier League, it would be foolish to overlook the obstacles that might arise.

Daniel Farke is “staying awake” to potential additions prior to the deadline day since he is aware of this.

He has acknowledged that Brenden Aaronson has no direct backup, and he is also keeping an eye on the striker position due to Patrick Bamford’s injury issues.

Farke has, however, also emphasized how difficult it is to make improvements to a league-leading club.

The 7-0 thumping of Cardiff City on Saturday demonstrated the foundation of that theory.

Leeds has now gone undefeated in 13 games across all competitions, with six different scorers and a fifth consecutive clean sheet since Pascal Struijk returned.

 

Watch live coverage of today’s Championship match between Leeds United and Cardiff City.

With a spot in the Premier League up for grabs at the end of the season, English football’s second division is still a fierce and thrilling competition.

Leeds United is reportedly in negotiations with a club regarding the departure of a young player from Elland Road who shares an agent with Ao Tanaka.

With only a few days left in the January transfer window, the Whites still don’t have a new acquisition for Daniel Farke.

Farke was questioned about the rumors of any new additions ahead of Saturday’s Championship matchup against Cardiff City at Elland Road.

Regarding Leeds’ transfer plans, Farke stated, “The news is that I have to survive one more press conference.”

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Leeds United could be about to bring back an £11m attacking player to Elland Road, according to one journalist.

 

Leeds remain patient in January transfer window

The Whites are top of the Championship and on course to win promotion to the Premier League at the second time of asking under Daniel Farke.

 

However, despite leading the way in the second tier, it is turning into a four-horse promotion battle alongside Sheffield United, Burnley and Sunderland, all of which have bolstered their squads with new signings.

 

The end for Wilfried Gnonto: Leeds plotting late move for “huge talent”

Leeds are yet to make a 2025 addition, although Farke previously admitted that a centre-back, attacking midfielder and centre-forward are positions Leeds could still strengthen in, saying: “There are still a few positions we could have a deeper look at if they can improve the squad. But right now, I’m a little bit more calmer with not being in panic mode with the need to have to do something.

 

“I think it’s fair to say if there is a creative offensive player out there, like a number 10 position, then it is something that could be beneficial for our group.

 

“Brenden Aaronson has been excellent this season and a key player for us. But we might have a similar player like him in our group. Of course we have players who can play in this role.

 

“If there is a solution for a creative midfield player it definitely make sense to stay awake. In all the other areas we are covered. The only two [positions] we have to stay awake in my head is the centre-back position… and perhaps a bit in the striker position.”

 

 

In recent days, Leeds have taken Liverpool youngster Oakley Cannonier on trial at Thorp Arch, and there have also been links to Newcastle United full-back Matt Targett.

 

It could go down to the wire in regards to if a new signing is secured by the 49er Enterprises, but a familiar face could well return to Yorkshire, going off a new update.

 

Jack Harrison could make Leeds return

Sharing a Leeds transfer update for The Daily Mail, relayed by Caught Offside, journalist Ian Herbert said that Leeds want a striker, left-back centre-back, central midfielder and winger.

 

That winger could well be Jack Harrison, currently on loan at Everton, with Herbert stating the 28-year-old “may be the one heading to Leeds”.

 

“They [Leeds] badly want a striker – [draw against Burnley] revealed why – and also seek a left-back, centre-back, central midfielder and winger.

 

“If they had to put it all on one, it would be a striker, but PSR means they could end up with none. Aston Villa’s Emi Buendia didn’t want to go to Leeds, preferring Bayer Leverkusen on loan. Brighton’s Julio Enciso preferred a loan move to Ipswich.

 

“Jack Harrison, shot on confidence after a torrid period on loan at Everton, may be the one heading to Leeds.”

 

Jack Harrison for Everton

Things haven’t gone to plan for Harrison during his second season on loan at Everton, failing to score or provide an assist in 21 games in all competitions.

 

Harrison, who cost Leeds £11m from Manchester City, has also been an unused substitute under new Everton boss David Moyes for the last two wins against Tottenham and Brighton, so a return to Elland Road could make sense for all involved.

 

Jack Harrison’s career

 

Middlesbrough

Granted, Leeds ideally could do with a central attacker to rival Joel Piroe and Mateo Joseph or a number 10 to challenge Brenden Aaronson, but a fresh returning face in Harrison may have to do for the second half of the season.

 

It takes two to tango. Farke could have gone with a more offensive line-up. He could have brought in Junior Firpo for Sam Byram and kept forward-thinking Joe Rothwell in the midfield rather than defensive specialist Ilia Gruev.

Leeds were untidy in the final third and definitely played safe at times, so the monotony that played out was a crime of joint enterprise but even that one, late Daniel James shot that finally forced Trafford into action presented an argument that Parker was the ringleader and most culpable for the Championship’s big game being such a big disappointment.

 

How do Burnley fans get to sleep at night? They watch Burnley. Speak to Turf Moor regulars and they will tell you that the atmosphere is largely flat and the lack of goals and chances make for a hard watch. Leeds fans have, justifiably, complained about the entertainment factor at times this season but Elland Road has seen twice as many home league wins as Turf Moor. The Whites have scored 35 at home compared with Burnley’s 15.

 

The problem is that Parker’s football works. It strangles a game so completely that opposition sides simply cannot score goals. And then even when they do get gilt-edged chances, like Sunderland did with a pair of spot-kicks, Trafford is there with heroics.

There is, with all due respect, a lot of dross in the division and Parker knows that if Burnley don’t nick a win at home then they’ll draw because they so effectively shut down opposition offences. Who can really complain about being unbeaten at home, third in the table and just three points off the top at this stage?

 

 

 

The other problem is that football has been allowed to become so results-focused and promotion from the Championship has become so financially significant that an entire season and a year in the life of a supporter can now be explained away under the phrase ‘getting the job done.’ It’s a very transactional thing. Strictly business. Get the points, get out of the league.

Function over fun. It’s not Parker or Farke’s fault that a relegated club faces a race against time to scramble back up the ladder before the parachute payments run out.

It’s not their fault that managers are judged so brutally and almost entirely on results. Taking risks in possession might give the rest of us a bit of a thrill, but when it’s their livelihood hanging in the balance and when you can play safe and still sit up near the top then can anyone be blamed for setting up to be solid?

 

That’s what Parker did, as expected with his Burnley team. Farke did too but at least Leeds had a little go. After a nervy couple of minutes in which Ethan Ampadu was uncharacteristically wayward with passes to the wings, Leeds began to look the more dangerous. Or maybe the more willing to attack. Jayden Bogle was one of few players on the pitch with a bit of urgency and adventure about him and he was at the heart of anything promising the visitors offered up.

 

Burnley’s best and only real moment came when ex-Leeds men Connor Roberts and Jaidon Anthony linked up so the latter could cross, with Zian Flemming heading wide.

 

 

 

The game settled into a bit of a pattern. Leeds had more of the ball but did little with it. Burnley mustered a few crosses. A minute of additional time at the end of the first half was more of a cruelty to the paying public than an opportunity for either side to give them something worth watching.

 

Farke said prior to the game that he prefers being top and being chased to having to do the chasing. The second half said that Burnley were content to sit back and do precisely no chasing.

Leeds were in control and giving an impression, if nothing else, that they wanted to win it. They just didn’t go gung-ho, because that was not and is never really Farke’s plan. The Clarets did eventually give Illan Meslier something to do in the 68th minute but his smart leg save from Anthony’s drilled effort didn’t count because the attacker had nudged last man Joe Rodon to concede a free-kick.

 

Leeds registered a shot that did actually count in the 88th minute and it very nearly pinched the points. Gruev’s corner came all the way through to James and he uncorked a beautifully-struck half volley that Trafford did well to palm over.

 

Farke was happy with a point. Parker was happy with a point. The Leeds fans gave their side a rousing ovation at full-time, suggesting they too were happy with a point.

A Burnley fan near the press box exploded with rage at the sight of it. “Think you’ve ****ing won something?” he spat in the direction of the travelling fans on the far side of the ground. No one won anything, there were no winners here. And that gentleman, like his fellow Clarets, has been sentenced to watch more of this from now until the end of the season.

Leeds might not find themselves in many genuine thrillers but you would at least back them to score more goals than Burnley. Both sides will be right there in the promotion picture come May and perhaps both will celebrate the great escape back to the Premier League. And no one will feel the least bit guilty about how they got there because the job got done.

 

 

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Leeds United will have pondered before the start of the season what would be the key to them getting promotion to the Premier League.

 

It seems as though what they have found in the market is working, with the Whites flourishing at the top of the Championship.

 

Team MP W D L GD Pts

1 Leeds 28 17 8 3 34 59

2 Sheff Utd 28 18 6 4 22 58

3 Burnley 28 15 11 2 27 56

4 Sunderland 28 15 9 4 18 54

Despite their success, Daniel Farke still wants three signings at Leeds as they might not have the squad depth required to go all the way this season.

 

Farke has had many different elements as to why Leeds have been performing well, and despite a lack of recruitment in January, the signings of Manor Solomon and Jayden Bogle have proven to be brilliant transfers.

 

However, Farke outlined another transfer that could’ve had the biggest effect but hasn’t quite lived up to the billing.

 

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke wipes something off his jacket in the dug out during the Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City AFC and Lee…

 

Leeds have been searching for that missing piece ever since they didn’t quite have enough to achieve promotion last season, losing out to Southampton in the play-off final.

 

But Farke believed he found the right factor in Leeds being in the Premier League as opposed to the Championship.

 

 

Despite, Solomon and Bogle being successes, their transfers weren’t labelled as what could be the difference for Leeds this season.

 

In October, Leeds acquired Josuha Guilavogui on a free transfer following his short stint with Mainz, and Farke believed the signing was a game-changer.

 

Ahead of Leeds’ trip to Bristol City a few months ago, Farke spoke in his pre-match presser (6:24) about the acquisition of the midfielder.

 

“We are all happy and pleased that it was possible to bring him in,” the Leeds boss said.

 

“Naturally, a holding midfielder who is pretty physical and has good defensive skills. He has also played a lot in the centre-back role. He adds a bit of experience which we could do with in the dressing room.

 

 

“He one hundred percent understands his role. He spoke quite openly about what we want to see and to be a mentor for the younger players and help develop them.

 

“Perhaps if a younger player isn’t prepared or struggling under pressure, this is a guy who won’t crack under pressure, even in an away stadium.”

 

However, Farke’s wish in October hasn’t gone quite to plan.

 

Guilavogui is set to leave Leeds United for nothing

Now, this isn’t all completely true that Farke’s wish hasn’t gone to plan.

 

The midfielder has achieved the level of being a mentor, as Guilavogui has shown his leadership at Leeds despite having only made one start.

 

Farke has praised Guilavogui highly which gives the sense of success in his transfer plan, but it looks as though it’s coming to an end.

 

Farke will hope the 34-year-old stays until June, as his off-field antics have clearly been doing the trick.

 

 

 

 

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Leeds United boss Daniel Farke says he was sending a message with his starting line-up for the win over Norwich City.

 

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An unchanged Whites side opened the scoring inside the first minute at Elland Road with Manor Solomon’s fifth of the season from a pinpoint Daniel James’ cross. Norwich had a little spell in which they caused a few problems without creating a clear-cut chance, but the first half and Elland Road went flat with little in the way of exciting action.

 

It wasn’t until the introduction of Junior Firpo in the second half that things ramped up again and he was involved in the move that brought the second goal. This time it was a Solomon cross and a James finish that settled the game as a contest.

 

 

 

Both Solomon and Brenden Aaronson were injury doubts ahead of the game and the expectation was that there would be at least one change to Farke’s line-up, given they played on Sunday and will face fellow title hopefuls Burnley next. But Farke went with the same side and wanted everyone to see the Norwich game as they see the one at Turf Moor.

 

“Sometimes I have to surprise you guys and be a bit predictable,” he quipped. “We had three proper nights at home, no travel, there was enough time to recover, the time to the next game is enough to cover and I wanted to send the sign, perhaps people thinking massive game against Burnley you change a bit, that no we take this game seriously, we don’t underestimate any team.

 

“Manor was able to train yesterday with us. His data and scan were okay. I got the feeling I could give him a rest in a good situation for the last 20 minutes or so. You’re a bit nervous sometimes but the gut feeling was we needed to set the sign we were on it and thank God it paid off.”

 

 

 

Farke was obviously pleased with the result, the clean sheet and the sheer dominance of his men but their attention to detail in the first half annoyed him.

 

“It was perhaps not our most exciting game and most shining performance, for that we were too solid and dominant in our defending behaviour,” he said. “We literally didn’t give one opportunity away. I think xG in the second half was 0.0. Nothing out of the game, nothing out of set pieces.

We scored an important early goal. Sometimes we had so many good wins here at home, the last game here was a clear result and we scored early. Sometimes you think okay come on, nice easy evening, we normally win the game in the lead and you perhaps do one step less. We were not good in the details, bit slow in the head, not that accurate with passing.

It was not easy, the pitch was not great. The last game was just two and a half days ago. It was not our best performance but in January after many games, in a busy week, this is how you should win such a game.

 

“With the 2-0 the game was more or less won and we concentrated on being rock solid. We could relax a bit more instead of investing too much. It was then a pretty controlled performance. An important three points and it gives us more confidence.”

 

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Leeds United midfielder Ao Tanaka was lucky not to be sent off in their home win over Norwich City

 

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Ex-Premier League referee Keith Hackett has claimed Ao Tanaka was lucky not to be sent off in Leeds United’s home win over Norwich City. The midfielder, who has been a big hit since moving to Elland Road last summer, was booked in the first half by referee Matthew Donohue for a late challenge on Emiliano Marcondes.

 

The Japan international upended Marcondes again in the early stages of the second half but his mistimed challenge went unpunished. Canaries head coach Johannes Hoff Thorup and his coaching staff remonstrated vehemently with the fourth official, questioning why Donohue did not issue Tanaka with a second yellow card and send him off.

 

Tanaka was withdrawn in the 55th minute as part of a double substitution, with Ilia Gruev replacing Tanaka in the centre. Junior Firpo took over from Sam Byram at left-back.

 

Former PGMOL general manager Hackett told MOT Leeds News: “Tanaka should have received a second yellow for this reckless challenge. Well done to his manager, Farke.

 

“He witnessed what had happened and discreetly did the right thing to stop his team from going down to 10 men.”

 

The Whites eased to a 2-0 win to regain top spot. Tottenham loanee Solomon fired the quickest goal in the Championship this season, finding the back of the net after just 31 seconds. He then teed up Daniel James for the second in the 65 minute to seal the Whites’ 12th home win of the season.

 

Victory extended their unbeaten run at Elland Road to 13 matches across all competitions.