Leeds United had a divisive January window, and it still leaves Daniel Farke with some players that are going to be relied on a great deal heading into the promotion run-ins
With the January window now shut and Leeds having to make do with their current squad for the rest of the season, it’s still clear that Daniel Farke has a side able to produce the quality needed for automatic promotion.
He is going to face a huge battle, given the sides around him remain intent on finishing in the top two this season.
It wasn’t the busiest of January windows for Leeds, perhaps as expected for Farke, but it does leave a few players without much cover that the Whites cannot afford to see injured.
Here, we look at three players who don’t really have any like-for-like cover at the moment after January…
Not many would have backed Dan James to be as important as this to Leeds’ season, but with 17 goal involvements this season and double figures for goals, he’s showing his worth.
Leeds are awash with wingers this season, so on face value, James’ current absence is something Leeds can cover with the likes of Willy Gnonto, Jaidon Anthony, or even Ian Poveda.
However, none of those players are nearly as good out of possession as James is, or as capable on the right channel.
James is Leeds’ only real natural and consistent option that works best on the right – hence why someone like David Brooks would have been nice to compete with his compatriot.
What it means is that it’s very hard to rely on either to stay for two or three games a week.
Firpo has proven in 2024 that his form is going to be vital from left-back, and much more of a better fit in possession than Byram, largely down to the fact that he’s left-footed and can get to the by-line with more power than the ex-Norwich man.
It’s freed up Crysencio Summerville in the process too, allowing him to link up more consistently in the final third.
Firpo being injured brings Byram back in, and while he’s been great since arriving for free, he rarely gets beyond Summerville to stop him being doubled-up on.
It’s been a headache for Leeds ever since Marcelo Bielsa was in charge and Kemar Roofe left, that the club doesn’t have a number nine that can do what Patrick Bamford does to connect the attack.
He’s changed his game of late and has become much more of a focal point than the striker he previously was that would do everything consistently well apart from when he got near the penalty area.
Joel Piroe and Georginio Rutter had been the partnership through the middle, but too many games passed the Dutchman by despite his solid goal tally, and Leeds have looked more rounded with Bamford in attack.
Having said that, it’s another crucial run of games where Leeds are leaning on the more-than-questionable injury record of Bamford to see them through games with their form intact.
