Sean Longstaff to demand answers from Daniel Farke after latest Leeds United snub
Sean Longstaff’s importance at Leeds seems to have diminished, and no one can quite work out why.
Leeds were unbeaten in 22 home games under the lights before Sunderland arrived on Tuesday, with Elland Road-linked Habib Diarra scoring the only goal of the game for the visitors.
It was yet another controversial encounter for several reasons, but the truth of the matter is that Leeds did nowhere near enough to win the game that would have seen them move nine points above the drop zone.
Not only has the defeat cast more doubt over their Premier League status beyond the current campaign, but it has also amplified a burning question for Daniel Farke to answer: Where is Longstaff?
Why is Daniel Farke not using Sean Longstaff?
Prior to his injury, Longstaff was one of Leeds’ most important players.
The former Newcastle star was contributing in the final third, calming games down as well as doing his work off the ball to subdue the threat posed by opponents.
But since then, Longstaff has not started a Premier League game for Leeds, while having only made an appearance in five encounters.
The situation is made even more bizarre by the fact that he was playing the full 90 more often than not, and is now being forced to watch the games from the bench.
Farke’s continued omission of the 28-year-old is baffling, and he certainly deserves answers as to why he is no longer playing.
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Leeds could face the consequences of Farke decision
It isn’t just Longstaff who is being underutilised; there are several other players not getting anywhere near the level of gametime they should.
Ao Tanaka, Lukas Nmecha and Facundo Buonanotte have been fringe players at best since the turn of the year, and Farke’s unwillingness to rotate is going to hamper their chances of survival.
Performances have slowly started to become a lot more bland, and that comes as no surprise given the lack of freshness in the starting 11.
Farke did the same in the Championship, which cost Leeds a handful of points, and if the same is to happen in the Premier League, it could cost them survival.
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