Daniel Farke set to hand Noah Okafor last chance to impress for Leeds United in Sunderland clash
Noah Okafor is at serious risk of losing his starting spot at Leeds.
Leeds have recently changed their formation to a 3-5-2, as Dominic Calvert-Lewin has flourished in a strike partnership.
Lukas Nmecha was performing well before picking up an injury in the Whites’ 3-1 over Chelsea at the start of December, but showed signs of a lethal pairing with Calvert-Lewin.
Okafor has replaced the injured Nmecha; however, he has been unable to impress despite Leeds’ important winning results of late.
Ahead of Leeds’ clash against Sunderland on Sunday, Farke may give the Swiss international one final chance to captivate him.
Daniel Farke could drop Noah Okafor for Wilfried Gnonto
Okafor showed promise in the early stages of the season, but has since tapered off in terms of attacking output for the Whites.
The 25-year-old hasn’t looked at home in the striker role, as his best performances have come from playing off the left.
- Okafor is without a goal contribution for nine games
- He managed to score two goals inside his first five Premier League starts for Leeds
- The Whites spent £18m on Okafor
Okafor is a versatile attacker, but so is Wilfried Gnonto, and the Italian will be banging on Farke’s door for a start.
Gnonto has made effective appearances off the bench for Leeds in recent games, and Farke could be tempted to play the forward next to Calvert-Lewin soon.
Not only that, but with Nmecha due to return soon, Okafor’s prospects at LS11 now look severely hampered.
Okafor biggest loser from Daniel Farke’s formation change
Not many expected Farke to change his tactical ways, but he did for the benefit of Leeds.
The Whites are unbeaten in four matches heading into their game against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, and it’s not thanks to Okafor.
The January transfer window is coming up, and there may have to be a difficult conversation regarding Okafor and his playing time, because he doesn’t appear to be a convincing striker.
Time is quite frankly running out for Okafor, and many may not see it yet, but the forward could soon be replaced at Elland Road.
Maybe Farke will revert to using wingers at some point in the future – this may be the only way for Okafor to keep getting minutes at LS11.
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