Daniel Farke has a difficult selection decision to make as Leeds United prepare to face Chelsea, after winger Dan James was ruled out through injury.
Dan James has suffered a frustrating return to the Premier League since winning promotion with Leeds, having found opportunities limited in recent weeks.
Despite starting against Manchester City, James was “sacrificed” at half-time in the game, with Leeds losing 2-0, before Dominic Calvert-Lewin helped launch a rousing fightback which ultimately ended in defeat.
Speaking after the game, Daniel Farke confirmed that his flying winger, James, now faces a period on the sidelines after injuring his hamstring at the Etihad.
With Farke facing a quick turnaround ahead of the game against Chelsea at Elland Road, the Leeds boss cannot afford to switch back to his preferred formation, despite the injury to James.
Prediction time for Leeds United v Chelsea
Daniel Farke and Enzo Maresca.
Photo by Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images
Daniel Farke cannot afford to make Leeds United selection mistake
Both Leeds wingers, James and Willy Gnonto, were withdrawn at half-time of the game against Manchester City, as Jaka Bijol slotted into a back three and Calvert-Lewin joined Lukas Nmecha up front.
Leeds looked like a new team in their new set-up, as Pascal Struijk excelled against Erling Haaland, and the Whites troubled City with their high press.
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However, Farke concerned Leeds fans in his post-match press conference by suggesting that he may not stick with the 3-5-2 that he switched to in the second half at the Etihad, stating that his approach will depend on the opposition line-up.
With Anton Stach in contention to return to full fitness against Chelsea, Farke has the perfect opportunity to use the German in a double midfield pivot alongside Ampadu, freeing up Ao Tanaka to play as an advanced midfielder behind Nmecha and Calvert-Lewin.
Should Daniel Farke stick with his 3-5-2 formation against Chelsea? 🤔
“I’m always prepared to play 3-5-2. It’s about the way I want to play against the ball.
“If it were that easy, we’d use it every game then anyone can be a Premier League manager. We couldn’t do it against Aston Villa because they press differently.”
Daniel Farke speaking after Leeds’ 3-2 defeat against Manchester City
James Justin and Daniel Farke v Man City.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
The alternative for Farke is to return to the 4-3-3 that he has preferred for much of the season, selecting Brenden Aaronson on the right of a front three, with Noah Okafor returning on the left.
However, Farke earned the applause of the away end at the Etihad after his tactical switch. He could quickly lose the goodwill he accrued in that game by reverting to his usual approach against Chelsea.
Daniel Farke has to listen to Jon Newsome’s Leeds United advice
Speaking to BBC Radio Leeds after the game, former Leeds defender Jon Newsome backed Farke to stick with the formation that brought success for Leeds in the second half against Manchester City.
Having criticised goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma for his request for treatment, which allowed the home side to regroup, Newsome stated that he believed Farke should stick with the system that had City on the ropes.
Daniel Farke claps Leeds United fans
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Newsome said: “I think you’ve got to give the manager full credit for doing it and changing it. He had nothing to lose, did he? Really, he hadn’t got anything to lose. He had a roll of the dice. We just then occupied different areas of the pitch.
“We made their two centre-halves start defending. It made them difficult. You’ve got two guys up front, Nmecha and Calvert-Lewin, who were just full of running, chasing lost causes. Suddenly, we get a goal, we get a penalty. We had them on the rack, didn’t we? They didn’t really have an answer.”
He added: “I’m sure Daniel Farke, that will give him real food for thought. What do I do? You know, sometimes you can be too defensive-minded.”
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