Leeds United have a huge opportunity to secure Premier League survival come the end of the season, with their recent run of form playing a huge role in their chances.
The Whites have now only lost twice in their last 13 league matches, subsequently moving themselves six points clear of the relegation zone with just 12 matches to go.
Daniel Farke’s decision to switch to a 3-5-2 formation has no doubt played a vital role in their recent success, with such a decision proving to get the best out of the crop of players at Elland Road.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is just one of the players who has benefited from the switch, subsequently registering ten goals to date and sitting as the club’s top-scorer.
However, the same can’t be said for every player, with one of Farke’s first-team members having to depart in the January window to gain valuable minutes elsewhere.
Why Jack Harrison was allowed to depart Leeds in January
Whilst only Facundo Buonanotte was the only player to join Leeds during the winter window, the club also let numerous players depart, with Jack Harrison joining Fiorentina on loan with an option to buy.
Eyebrows were raised when the 29-year-old was integrated back into the senior ranks in the summer, after spending the previous two seasons on loan at Everton.
Many felt the player had burnt his bridges, which even led to the attacker being booed and jeered by a section of supporters upon being brought onto the pitch.
Harrison racked up 11 Premier League appearances in the first half of the season, with only one of which coming from a starting position – subsequently showcasing the lack of faith shown in him by Farke.
Arguably, his most memorable moment was his substitute appearance against Nottingham Forest – but such an outing will be remembered for all the wrong reasons.
The Englishman was brought on at left-back, but was unable to deal with the trickery of Omari Hutchinson, resulting in a penalty and allowing the hosts to secure a 3-1 victory.
It’s evident that Harrison is no longer at the level required for success in the Premier League, with it now looking increasingly likely that the forward has played his final game for the club.
The Leeds star who should never play for Farke again
After promotion from the Championship last season, achieving top-flight survival was undoubtedly the main priority for Farke and the squad, with many pundits predicting the club to go straight back down.
The hierarchy backed the German with £90m worth of additions during the summer, subsequently helping add to the players who catapulted the Whites back to the big time.
As previously mentioned, Calvert-Lewin was one of the signings made by the board during the off-season, with his free transfer one of the best pieces of business conducted across the division.
Joel Piroe, the club’s top scorer last season, has taken a backseat as a result in recent months, subsequently making just 11 league appearances and failing to score a single goal.
However, the Dutchman isn’t the only promotion-winning hero to have fallen down the pecking order, with full-back Sam Byram struggling to cement his place in the squad.
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The 32-year-old rejoined the club on a free transfer in the summer of 2023, subsequently providing key depth and quality in the full-back department in their promotion attempts.
He racked up 76 appearances across all competitions during the club’s time in England’s second tier, often being a regular starter under Farke.
|
Sam Byram’s – Championship stats (2024/25) |
|
|---|---|
|
Statistics (per 90) |
Tally |
|
Appearances |
36 |
|
Starts |
16 |
|
Pass accuracy |
83% |
|
Goals & assists |
2 |
|
Tackles won |
1.2 |
|
Duel success rate |
55% |
|
Fouls committed |
1.2 |
However, since promotion to the Premier League, Byram has found minutes extremely hard to come by, subsequently featuring just three times across all competitions.
Only one of his outings has come in the Premier League, subsequently featuring for seven minutes off the substitutes bench in the 5-0 defeat at Arsenal back in August.
His last outing for the Whites came against Derby County in the FA Cup last month, only amassing a total of four minutes played – showcasing his lack of importance to the side at present.
Given the quality of James Justin, Gabriel Gudmundsson and Jayden Bogle, the fan-favourite has found game time hard to come by, which could spell the end of his time in Yorkshire.
With his contract set to expire at the end of the season, it’s likely that the experienced defender will depart on a free transfer and move on to pastures new.
It may be a call that is a heartfelt one, given his connection to the football club, but it’s one that needs to be made for the good of the side if they are to reach the next level.
He and Harrison have both showcased that they’re no longer at the level required for success in the Premier League, with both looking as though they have played their final games at Elland Road.
Such decisions would undoubtedly raise key funds for the manager in the summer window, which could be crucial if the club are to secure their top-flight status come the end of the season.
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