Farke has Leeds United contract headache after what happened v Oxford United
Sam Byram has continued to give Daniel Farke a headache over the decision on his expiring contract in the summer of 2025 after his display for Leeds United against Oxford United.
The versatile full-back has not been his manager’s preferred option this season and has made nine of his 17 appearances from the substitutes bench this term, largely starting when Jayden Bogle and Junior Firpo are out.
With Firpo currently unavailable due to injury, the boss has used Byram as a fill-in left-back in the starting line-up in recent weeks.
Both players find themselves out of contract in the summer meaning Farke will have a decision to make with it expected that only one of the defenders will stay in West Yorkshire.
Is Sam Byram doing enough to extend his contract at Leeds United?
Although the Whites got a big 4-0 win against Oxford United on Saturday [21 December], one man who didn’t perform to the expected level was Byram.
The 31-year-old played for 77 minutes before the German boss substituted him off.
While it may feel unfair to criticise a defence who kept a clean sheet in a comprehensive win, when looking at the statistics of the defender’s performance it is clear to see that he was not up to the level required against a side who are sitting second bottom of the Championship table.
According to FotMob, the defender won 0% of his tackles in the game and lost five of the eight duels he faced throughout his 77 minutes of playing time.
A 67% passing accuracy too reiterates a below-par display from Byram given the level of opponent they were facing on Saturday.
This may well show Farke why he would choose to bring Firpo back into the side when fit but given he is aiming to take his side to the Premier League through automatic promotion this season, there has to be a question over whether the boss will see him as a useful asset to the side.
It’s between the two players to take their chances throughout the rest of the campaign and show their boss what they are worth but if the 31-year-old offers performances like this often, Farke may not feel convinced to extend his time at Elland Road.
In other Leeds United news, one player could be set for a Leeds United exit after being linked with a move to Wrexham.
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