Daniel Farke ‘has questions to answer over £540,000 clanger’ after Leeds update
Daniel Farke has rarely put a foot wrong since being appointed as Leeds United manager in July 2023.
His only real failing at Elland Road so far was the Whites missing out on promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking, losing to Southampton in the Championship play-off final.
It was an absolutely cruel afternoon at Wembley Stadium, but with Leeds currently leading the Championship title race, those days could already be about to be put behind them.
However, the manager has not been completely safe from criticism from the ever-expecting supporters, and he now has questions to answer following the closure of the winter transfer window.
Leeds United keep hold of Patrick Bamford
Patrick Bamford, who is currently earning £30,000-a-week on the sidelines, has yet to make a single league start this season due to multiple injury setbacks.
The amount of money going towards the striker, between the closing of the winter transfer window and the opening of the summer window, could total up to £540,000 in wages.
Given how frustrated Leeds supporters were with a lack of activity in the transfer market, those kinds of funds could have gone towards adding a couple of new faces to the squad.
Instead, Bamford’s wages continue to be paid while he receives treatment from the medical staff, last making an appearance during the 1-1 draw with Blackburn Rovers on New Year’s Day.
Daniel Farke shares new injury update at Thorp Arch
Speaking to the media, Farke admitted the last few days have not been “ideal” for the 31-year-old’s rehabilitation, now facing another 10-day setback from rejoining team training.
The striker has been “unable to sprint properly” raising questions about why the Whites held onto the player during the last transfer window, rather than shipping him off elsewhere.
Joel Piroe has been in red-hot form this season, and with Mateo Joseph a decent backup choice any any of the wingers able to play through the middle, it made no sense to keep Bamford.
Now, Farke must live with that decision until the end of the season. Over £500,000 is a lot of money for a club trying to secure promotion to the Premier League.
It is seriously going to waste right now.