David Prutton tells 49ers what they must give Daniel Farke at Leeds United
Leeds United owners 49ers Enterprises must ship out any player who does not want to be at Elland Road then provide Daniel Farke with the “arsenal” he needs for a promotion tilt, says David Prutton.
Writing for the Yorkshire Evening Post’s online edition (16 August), former Whites midfielder Prutton laid into the likes of Wilfried Gnonto and Luis Sinisterra, both of whom did not want to play against Birmingham City on Saturday (12 August) as they reportedly seek an Elland Road exit.
Several players have also taken advantage of clauses in their contracts allowing them to leave Leeds on loan following relegation, the latest being Jack Harrison who has departed for Everton.
Prutton acknowledged Farke is working in difficult circumstances, and says the 49ers owners need to provide players similar to Emi Buendia and Teemu Pukki, who were both influential in helping the German achieve promotion at former club Norwich City.
“First and foremost, the 49ers need to get the ones out of the door that don’t want to be there and then replace what you can replace and get the injured lads back fit. Leeds let themselves down defensively in that first game against Cardiff and then they lost to a Birmingham City team that is on a bit of an upswing with regards to Tom Brady bowling in the door,” Prutton wrote.
“But Daniel Farke needs to be given the arsenal that he needs. I think he’s dealt with it just right so far and he will know more about what’s going on then we do. But I think he’s been absolutely right. When he says a player is “unavailable” like Luis Sinisterra was at Birmingham then his explanation is ambiguous enough for people to make of it what they will.
“Then there are players that are moving on which is proving him right for keeping his counsel and his take off if people don’t want to be here then move them on is absolutely right. I think he needs to be given a bit of patience from the people in charge and also from the fans which I think he will get because of what he is capable of.
“But Daniel conquered the Championship with a ball-playing midfielder in Emi Buendia who was one of the best we have seen at that level and a goalscorer in Teemu Pukki who was also one of the best we have seen at that level too. He needs things akin to that.”
Solve this mess
It has been a baptism of fire for 49er Enterprises since they acquired full control of Leeds from previous owner Andrea Radrizzani.
A plethora of players have departed on loan after baffling clauses were inserted into their contracts, and the situations of Gnonto and Sinisterra is also particularly problematic.
Sinisterra reportedly has a release clause in his contract, so Leeds may end up being powerless to prevent him going, and do they really want to keep battling to retain Gnonto – a player who has quite clearly dialled it in?
Quick decisions need to be made so that Leeds United can crack on and bring in much-needed reinforcements for Farke to build a squad capable of challenging for promotion.
The 49ers needed to solve this mess, albeit one not necessarily of their own doing, and quickly. If they don’t then this season could quickly turn into another campaign for the beleaguered Whites.
In other Leeds United news, Brian Deane has also had his say on Wilfried Gnonto.