Guilavogui reacts to Isaac Schmidt development away from Elland Road
Joshua Guilavogui has struggled for game time at Leeds United but his influence is still being felt at Elland Road.
The French midfielder has featured just 13 times in the Championship this season, not starting a single match for Daniel Farke‘s side.
However, the 34-year-old has still been a key man in the dressing room, proving to be a motivational figure off the pitch as opposed to on it.
Guilavogui sends Schmidt message after Switzerland development
Schmidt is yet to make his full Leeds debut in the league but made his first appearance for Switzerland in the 1-1 draw with Northern Ireland.
The 25-year-old took to Instagram (22 March) to share his feelings on the historic achievement away, saying that he was “blessed.”
Guilavogui shared the post to his personal story and responded with a sparkles, a heart and a prayer emoji.
Daniel Farke needs to trust Schmidt to step up
The Swiss international has featured just seven times in the second tier for a total of 25 minutes and is yet to start in the league for the Whites.
However, with Junior Firpo seemingly set to leave upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season, he may be thrust into a Premier League starting berth.
| Stats (Championship) | Firpo | Schmidt |
| Played | 25 | 7 |
| Starts | 24 | 0 |
| Minutes played | 2097 | 25 |
Schmidt has received reassurance from the Elland Road club that he is potentially a regular starter and will just have to bide his time before he is handed a chance.
To prepare him for that outcome, Farke should give him more game time, to allow him to get used to how the team plays although that is difficult given Firpo’s form and the razor-close nature of the promotion race with Sheffield United and Burnley hunting them down.
However, it is all well and good learning the methods from training but the environment surrounding an actual game is completely different.
It would be a huge risk to throw him in at the deep end, in the top-flight if they are promoted and the Dominican international does depart but given that he has now started for his nation, Schmidt will be confident that he can make the step up.