How Daniel Farke can save Leeds United from relegation after tough-to-take end to winter window
Leeds United failed to truly strengthen in the January transfer window.
Only Facundo Buonanotte came through the doors at Leeds, with his loan move from Brighton being confirmed on 15 January.
That left over two weeks for Daniel Farke and Co. to do business, but Leeds ultimately missed out on the likes of Jorgen Strand Larsen and Edvin Austbo.
Leeds are happy with their squad, but with a relegation battle staring back at them, fresh faces wouldn’t have gone amiss.
There are still plenty of top players who have more to give at Elland Road who could make all the difference across the second half of the season.
Noah Okafor has more to give at Leeds United
The Whites have a six point buffer to the bottom three, but West Ham are starting to show some signs of recovery under Nuno Espirito Santo.
Crysencio Summerville and Jarrod Bowen have been electric in recent weeks, helping the Hammers to score seven goals in their last three games in the Premier League.
Leeds have scored just two by comparison, and that could start to catch up with them, especially with Dominic Calvert-Lewin only scoring once in his last seven outings.
There is room for Noah Okafor to step up and prove exactly why he was brought in from AC Milan and recapture some of his early-season form.
As highlighted by Sofascore, there are signs of an excellent player there with the Switzerland international, despite him only scoring two Premier League goals so far.
The 25-year-old has featured across 23 matches and in that time has registered the fourth most big chances created in Yorkshire.
His 3.30 touches in the opposition box also ranks second in the squad, proving just how much of a threat he can be.
With more regular minutes across the second half of the season, there is every chance he could transform that activity into more regular goal output.
Daniel Farke can count on Joel Piroe at Elland Road
One plus point of the LS11 outfit is their solidity at the back, so their focus should be on scoring more goals.
Leeds may have missed out on Strand Larsen, but didn’t move too quickly in the winter window to let Joel Piroe go despite plenty of interest.
That leaves the door open for Joel Piroe to step up and once again prove how valuable he can be for the Whites when given the chance.
Sofascore now highlights how the Dutchman has actually been a useful asset this season despite only making four starts across all competitions.
In an average of just 33 minutes per game, to have got 3.59 shots off per 90 just proves how impactful he can be.
He is yet to score or assist this campaign, but having contributed to 26 last season, that ability hasn’t just disappeared overnight.
Farke has some excellent options already available to him and despite the frustrations of the January transfer window, could still transform Leeds across the second half of the season.