The reigning Premier League Darts champions has cast his verdict on Leeds United’s January transfer business.
Darts star and Leeds United fan Luke Humphries was ‘disappointed’ to see just one player join Daniel Farke’s squad during the January transfer window.
Leeds filled the major gap in their squad during the mid-season window, signing a right-wing/No.10 profile in the form of Brighton’s Facundo Buonanotte on loan. The 21-year-old Argentinian was a key target for Elland Road chiefs in the summer and cut short a season-long Chelsea switch to facilitate the move.
The Whites also acted on a unique market opportunity in the form of Jorgen Strand Larsen, albeit their almost £40million bid was usurped by Crystal Palace, who signed the striker from Wolves for £48m. As deadline day approached, nothing emerged regarding alternative options to provide cover for Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
With Jack Harrison joining Fiorentina on loan, Farke also hinted the club would stay awake for left wing-back cover but that never arrived. Nor did a new goalkeeper amid uncertainty surrounding who is the current first-choice between Lucas Perri and Karl Darlow. Central defensive cover also never materialised.
“I think Sunderland's recruitment has been absolutely incredible, that's part and parcel of why they are where they are in the league,” Humphries told The Northern Echo as he prepared for his Premier League Darts title defence in Newcastle. "I've seen it on transfer deadline day, one goes then 'bang' they get one straight back in, no messing around.
"That's the only part that's hard as a Leeds fan, because we're crying out for certain players in certain positions and nothing's being done and that's frustrating for us fans. I'm disappointed as a Leeds fan not to have added a few extra players, but what can you do?”
What has Daniel Farke said on Leeds United’s transfer business?
In what was his first press conference since the closing of the window on Wednesday, Farke was quizzed at length on his side’s business which essentially saw one leave the first-team picture and another arrive. Buonanotte is expected to play a more central role to this campaign than Harrison did between August and January, however.
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Farke pointed to the fact his squad is on course to survive based on current form and has not been weakened in January. The Leeds boss is also known to place a heavy emphasis on the togetherness of his squad and admitted ahead of Friday’s game against Nottingham Forest he can be ‘pretty picky’ when it comes to bringing new faces in.
"Sometimes there are even top players available, but it doesn't suit the profile, just due to the fact that it would be perhaps even too much of an option, or a different type or a player in a position where you have an important player and you don't want to annoy him,” he said. “Or a player who comes in a certain position and doesn't accept a back-up role.
“It's fine margins and the experience and knowledge of a manager to know what the group feels. It's not just bringing the best potential signings together and you're successful, it's important to build the spirit within the group carefully. I'm pretty picky who I want."
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