Credit: Manh Tung

Richie Mills

Fri 13 March 2026 11:40, UK

Graham Smyth believes Leeds United have missed that extra bit of “dynamism” the injured Noah Okafor brings.

Okafor swapped AC Milan for Leeds last August in a fee around £18million on a four-year deal, and so far, he has had topsy turvy spell at Elland Road.

The 25-year-old has scored four goals and added one assist in 26 games in all competitions for Daniel Farke’s team this season. While there have been undoubted moments of quality and some important goals thrown in there, Okafor has been quite hit and miss.

Incidentally, during his absence, Calvert-Lewin failed to score against Aston Villa, Manchester City, and Sunderland, suggesting he may miss the winger.

And after being absent for Leeds’ last four games due to a hamstring injury, Yorkshire Evening Post reporter Smyth has talked up the Swiss international’s importance.

Leeds United told they are missing Noah Okafor

While Okafor can frustrate fans with his sometimes wayward passing and crossing, in addition to going down blind alleyways with his dribbles, his pace and running power are real assets for Leeds.

Compared to other attackers in the Premier League, he is in the top 20 per cent for touches and chances created, and is in the top 25 per cent for defensive contributions, too.

Former Napoli loanee Okafor has proven to be one of the Premier League’s fastest players this season but on the flip side, his dribbling success is down at 44 per cent. But overall, as this Sofascore graphic below shows, he has been a net positive to Leeds.

Following Leeds’ 3-0 FA Cup fifth-round win over Norwich City on Sunday, Smyth said Farke’s team are missing Okafor in attack. Indeed, during his absence, Leeds have picked up one point from their last three league games.

He said on the Square Ball Podcast: “I think with Okafor being out, Leeds have lacked that pace and dynamism in the final third, you know, to really get past players and make something happen. Okafor brings you that. [Wilfried] Gnonto would bring you that.”

Indeed, with Okafor on the pitch, Leeds can stretch defences in a different way than they have done in recent weeks. Moreover, there hasn’t been enough creativity in attack for Calvert-Lewin to feed off.

The England international has scored 10 goals this term but he may be more likely to add to that with Okafor alongside him. Leeds will hope he is back fit for their crunch clash at Crystal Palace on Sunday but Farke may not risk the Swiss just yet.

Leeds need to take the handbrake off for relegation battle

Farke should be commended for how he has improved Leeds’ fortunes over the course of the season. After going 2-0 down at City in late November, many fans were calling for the German to be sacked.

However, Farke found more success with his new 3-5-2 formation and in January, Leeds stretched to eight points above the relegation zone.

But, West Ham’s upturn in form, coupled with a few too many draws from Leeds, has left the Yorkshire side just three points above the relegation zone.

Leeds arguably should have got a point against City but put in an uninspiring display in their defeat to Sunderland at Elland Road.

Farke played five defenders and two defensively-minded midfielders in that Leeds loss against a side that sat back and put a lot of players behind the ball.

The German didn’t react quickly enough to try and win the game and ended up losing it 1-0. Ahead of winnable fixtures with Palace and Brentford, Farke needs to be more proactive and take the game to the opposition. It’s a risk but Leeds need to control their own destiny more, rather than trying not to lose.