Falke’s ‘most important’ player is Leeds’ ‘difference maker’

Elland Street could be a troublesome place for opponents to navigate, as Nuno Espirito Santo’s West Ham United proved to be a troublesome place to navigate on Friday evening.

Leeds United’s well-known residence floor was rocked after Daniel Farke’s Whites scored twice at residence inside the first quarter-hour, however the guests’ late strike from Matheus Fernandes wasn’t sufficient to present them their second residence win within the Premier League this season.

Now, Farke’s aspect have three video games in November in opposition to powerhouses reminiscent of Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester Metropolis, and it is going to be attention-grabbing to see the place the West Yorkshire aspect sit within the early standings after their journey subsequent month.

The German supervisor will likely be hoping Sean Longstaff continues to carry out in these high-pressure conditions, and the previous Newcastle United midfielder has already confirmed to be a steal after signing for a low payment of £12 million this summer season.

Longstaff’s spectacular Leeds efficiency

However with 171 top-flight appearances beneath his belt for the Magpies, it should not be the largest shock that Longstaff has the whole lot it takes to reach the Premier League.

Nonetheless, the Newcastle-born star was not at all times appreciated at St James’ Park, as he usually pale into the background. However in West Yorkshire, he has been one in all Falke’s most important gamers to date this season, with the 27-year-old additionally successful Leeds’ Participant of the Month award for September.

He is additionally a worthy winner, with Longstaff already having created a staggering 17 possibilities this season, a determine bettered solely by Manchester United stalwart Bruno Fernandes.

The previous Tyneside prodigy has continued to carry out effectively within the league since then, with one objective and two assists.

But it surely’s not simply his attacking skill that has made the balanced midfielder shine, with a mean of 5 duels received in 9 top-flight video games for Leeds within the White League, confirming Magpies nice Alan Shearer’s earlier declare that Longstaff is an “unimaginable” expertise.

In line with journalist Daniel Storey, Longstaff has even been hailed as “among the best contracted gamers within the PL”. However the thrilling attacking star could have an much more necessary piece of the puzzle on the former Norwich Metropolis supervisor’s disposal.

Leeds United’s most necessary gamers

There was numerous debate on the pitch as to who will likely be Leeds’ most necessary cog, and Joe Rodon is clearly the frontrunner on this regard. The no-nonsense Welshman scored the additional objective together with his head within the final recreation, giving the Whites a 2-1 victory.

Nonetheless, if Rodon goes down with an damage, Falke at the very least has Pascal Strujk to depend on. Equally, suppose Longstaff himself falls sufferer to the knock. In that case, the promotion-winning supervisor has the likes of Ilya Guluev in his reserves, and he is aware of that Ethan Ampadu and Ao Tanaka will do an incredible job as effectively, being lively and combative when wanted.

Sadly, Farke would not have as a lot attacking depth on the similar stage and needed to substitute Brenden Aaronson because the right-wing possibility in opposition to the Hammers, which he did with ease. Fortunately, Leeds have not needed to rely an excessive amount of on ropey Jack Harrison within the opposition left channel this season, with Noah Okafor getting up and operating within the Premier League with out an excessive amount of hassle.

The Swiss worldwide, who already has European pedigree with the likes of AC Milan, is a breath of contemporary air on the left flank as a viable fast possibility, with journalist Oscar Mario claiming that Okafor is Leeds’ “most necessary participant” as he “raises the extent of gamers round him” by being a “difference-maker”.

Certainly, in the beginning of the season, it seemed like Leeds would battle to remain forward of the pack as they return to the difficult Premier League.

However Leeds are unlikely to retreat right into a shell and settle for their destiny with Okafor continuously bursting down the left flank, as seen in his unimaginable six profitable dribbles in opposition to Wolverhampton Wanderers in September. It additionally helps that he already has two strikes subsequent to his identify, indicating the fast darting ahead’s finish outcome to date.

It can take a collective effort to maintain Leeds from falling straight into the Championship, however Falke has already launched Leeds mainstay Dan James for Okafor, so he’ll undoubtedly be a key participant between now and their fall in Could.