I don’t expect Daniel Farke thought this would be an easy job, but after this last week he may want to sit alone, rocking backwards and forwards in a darkened room. Which is all very well really, given the rate of departures at Thorp Arch Farke may well have the place to himself soon.
The week had started so well, with news of new faces Max Aarons and Joe Rodon arriving at the club. But it didn’t take long for things to go awry in typical Leeds United fashion. With rumours Aarons was at Elland Road for a medical, Bournemouth hijacked the deal to take him to Dean Court. Frustrating as it is to be rejected in favour of Bournemouth, this is our new reality and it’s not just potential signings looking elsewhere, it’ half the current squad as well.
Wednesday would only get worse after the Aarons news as it was revealed after the game that Willy Gnonto had refused to play as he looked to force through a move to Everton. With four years left on his contact, the club informed Gnonto that he would not be sold this summer, but once a player refuses to pull on the shirt is there really any going back? The fans certainly made their feelings clear at St Andrews this weekend changing “refuse to play, you don’t come back.”
Another who didn’t travel this weekend was Luis Sinisterra. Whilst Daniel Farke was keen to say “don't judge it like Gnonto's” in his post-match press conference it has been suggested that Sinisterra is keen not to aggravate a knee injury in case a club meets his release clause. Whilst the situation may not be exactly the same it certainly seems like the Colombian winger has an eye on the exit door. Time will tell, but if Sinisterra doesn’t make himself available for this Friday’s game against West Brom it’s difficult to see a future for him at Elland Road.
As well as Gnonto, Everton are also sniffing around Jack Harrison. Whilst they appeared to have been gazumped by Aston Villa following a personal call from Unai Emery. Harrison's loan deal to move to the West Midlands now appears to have collapsed following Villa finding out the extent of his injury. Everton are now preparing to close the deal having completed medical tests earlier. Tyler Adams is another of our want away players and whilst his move to Chelsea appears to have fallen through, it’s difficult not to see another club meeting his release fee and taking him away from Elland Road this summer.
With the contracts of Forshaw, Robles and McKennie ending this summer, Rodrigo leaving on a permanent deal to Qatar and Aaronson, Koch, Llorente, Kristensen, Roca and Wober out on loan, Farkw finds himself without ten of last seasons squad unavailable, with a further four looking to secure moves away. Amidst this turmoil, only Ampadu, Darlow, Byram and Rodon have come in the other direction leaving Daniel Farke’s squad looking very light indeed.
The incompetence of Victor Orta has inflicted lasting damage on our football club, but now is the time for the new owners to get behind their man and back him. Daniel Farke has so far responded to the situation with dignity and composure but he can’t be expected to keep his calm should the squad look as threadbare as it did on Saturday. The 49ers promised an 'aggressive' transfer approach, it’s time for them to get on the front foot or this season will be lost before it’s really even begun.
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