Credit: Imago

Josh Edwards

Mon 27 April 2026 17:10, UK

Sean Longstaff was again handed only a few minutes for Leeds United against Chelsea.

The Whites’ FA Cup journey came to an end with a 1-0 defeat against Chelsea at Wembley, and there will be plenty of regrets.

Leeds had the chances to win the game, but failed to take them, while one lapse of concentration ultimately cost them the game.

Daniel Farke made changes as the game went on, in an attempt to try and get the Whites back into the encounter.

And not for the first time this season, Longstaff was barely afforded a chance to make an impact.

Leeds United snub continues for Sean Longstaff

Something simply must have happened behind the scenes, because Longstaff’s lack of gametime makes no sense otherwise.

He was one of Leeds’ best players prior to his injury earlier in the season, only to become a bit-part player upon his return.

For the first time since February, Longstaff played more than four minutes in a game for Leeds when they faced Bournemouth, and he got the all-important goal to secure a point.

And yet despite that, Farke still opted to hand him just four minutes to change the game in the FA Cup defeat to Chelsea.

Longstaff’s lack of minutes is getting more and more baffling as the season goes on.

All signs point towards Elland Road exit for Longstaff

If he can’t even get a respectable amount of time on the pitch in the absence of Ilia Gruev, then the question will be, when will he?

Longstaff is far too good to be sitting on the bench for 85 minutes each week, and yet that is the scenario playing out at Elland Road.

He will be well aware of what he has to offer, and if Leeds are in the market for another midfielder as expected this summer, then it may pave the way for him to find a new club already.