Daniel Farke ‘surely regrets’ Leeds United transfer decision after what happened
Daniel Farke was adamant throughout the winter transfer window that it was not going to be a busy start to the new year for Leeds United and this certainly proved to be the case.
However, the Whites have been at the right end of the Championship table throughout the campaign so far and sitting two points clear at the top of the table, you can understand why the boss didn’t want to rock the boat.
Promotion is the expectation in West Yorkshire this season although Farke’s side looks well on their way to delivering this aim at Elland Road.
Leeds United stood still during the winter transfer window
The German manager has a settled group of players in West Yorkshire this term so it’s understandable why adding countless players was never on the list for Leeds.
However, the Whites were relatively quiet when it came to offloading players too and even turned down a deal in the final hours of the window.
According to El Desmarque (3 February), Real Betis made a bid to sign Mateo Joseph and take him away from Leeds.
It was not a deal that was ever entertained by Farke given Joe Gelhardt was allowed to leave on loan and Patrick Bamford has had injury issues.
Therefore, the bid was rejected to ensure the forward remains on the books at Elland Road entering the final months of the season.
Leeds United to question Mateo Joseph decision
You can understand why Leeds rejected the bid from a position of being at a late stage in the transfer window and therefore having no time to gain a replacement.
Furthermore, with only Joel Piroe and Patrick Bamford on the books as other forwards, it doesn’t leave the side with any wiggle room if Piroe finds himself injured or unavailable.
However, Farke will surely be regretting his decision not to sanction a move after the 21-year-old’s performance against Millwall in the FA Cup on Saturday (8 February).
Joseph was the chosen forward to start the game but it was a dismal display as his side lost 2-0 and crashed out of the Cup.
Despite playing for the full 90 minutes, the 21-year-old had the fewest touches of any outfield player to play the full game with just 26 and no shots at all during the game. [FotMob]
With this in mind, the boss has to question what the forward can bring to his side between now and the end of the season to boost Leeds’ chances of promotion.
Although the manager may not have wanted to rock the boat, making an attacking signing early in the window would’ve given the freedom to accept a bid that came in for the 21-year-old.
Instead, the West Yorkshire outfit will be hoping Piroe can stay on top form for the remainder of the season while there is serious responsibility for Joseph to step it up.