Daniel Farke may have released double Leeds United contract hint
Daniel Farke may have given new hope to senior Leeds United pair Luke Ayling and Liam Cooper with his comments after the 3-2 win against Norwich.
Farke spoke glowingly of the pair, not just with their influence on the pitch but also behind the scenes, in a display of faith and a show of how highly the boss values his senior squad members.
Phil Hay reported in The Athletic [16 October] that Farke will make the final call as to whether or not the club renew the contracts of the two players who will see their deals expire at the end of the year as things stand.
“If I could choose a player [to have at the club], I would go for Luke Ayling and Liam Cooper,” the boss told the media after the game. “Because of what they have done, they are already club legends.
“To accept ‘Okay we are back in the Championship’ and to have to wait 90 minutes to just come in for the final minutes, but to still be on it and to help the players.
“Liam, before the game he was sitting next to Pascal Struijk explaining ‘You have to defend in this way and that way’, they analysed the opponent’s strikers together.
“Luke, unbelievable leadership, so really I love my whole group and I’m always tempted to play them all, but sadly you have to disappoint more or less two-thirds of the squad each and every game.” [Leeds Live, 21 October]
These comments will have come as a welcome boost to both players, with the trust and belief in them from Farke likely to inspire stronger performances, but the recognition of their work and leadership away from the pitch could be crucial in their ongoing bids for new deals.
As shared by the report in The Athletic, Farke will assess the pair both on and off the pitch, taking into account everything they can offer to the club, before making a final decision on whether their futures still lay at Elland Road beyond the end of this season.
The way the boss speaks about both players could be a hint as to how valuable he feels they are to his squad, and if they can replicate their off-field antics which have earned them such high praise when they do step foot on the pitch, they could certainly put a positive case forward.
It’s a big call for the boss to make, but he will know what his squad needs and will have an idea of what the future holds for the trio. It will be their own performances over the coming months that can convince Farke they deserve their spot at Elland Road.
In other Leeds United news, the club were open to offers for Summerville in the transfer window.