Daniel Feliciano

Sun 8 October 2023 9:10, UK

Leo Hjelde may have already played his final game for Leeds United after he was snubbed again by Daniel Farke for the clash with Bristol City.

The Whites had a selection headache on their hands at left-back ahead of the game with Jamie Shackleton ruled out with a shoulder injury, while there were doubts about Sam Byram’s availability after three games in a week.

But the teams showed up at Elland Road for Saturday afternoon’s game and while Byram was eventually named in the starting lineup, there was no Hjelde to be seen at all.

Farke hinted in his press conference on Friday afternoon that he could be forced to play someone out of position for the game or even potentially switch formations to find a new solution to his issues.

That immediately should have raised eyebrows in the Hjelde camp because he is fit and available, but now the decision of Farke should suggest he has no future at Elland Road.

The youngster was used during pre-season and featured in the Carabao Cup and even for 46 minutes in the Championship too, but isn’t even making match-day squads these days.

He was wanted by Andrea Radrizzani at Sampdoria in the summer but a deal never materialised, and it seemed that could be because he was in the manager’s plans.

But this decision suggests the opposite is in fact true and a January exit should surely now be expected by all parties as he will want to play more regularly to ensure his development doesn’t stall.

When everyone is fit his absence is expected and justified, but if you aren’t going to even consider him as an option when you may have no left-back options available then it tells you that your career at the club is over.

In other Leeds news, loanee’s agent reveals failed moves to Serie A for his client.