Daniel Farke and the Leeds United players are focused on ensuring that the team survive in the Premier League this season. However, with the World Cup on the horizon, a few of the Whites stars have one eye on featuring in the showpiece even in the summer.
A few players, such as Dominic Calvert-Lewin, are fighting to return to the national team ahead of the World Cup and stake a claim to be in the squad for the massive tournament.
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While a certain other Leeds stars are pushing to ensure that they are in the reckoning by the time the squads are selected for the summer’s World Cup in North America.
However, a few Whites players have been out of the national team for a while, and Noah Okafor is one such Leeds star who is hoping to return to the team before the summer’s extravaganza.
Switzerland opens the door for Leeds United star Noah Okafor’s return to the squad
Noah Okafor has not been selected for Switzerland since November 2024, and the relationship between head coach Murat Yakin and the winger has not been great.
Yakin was left unimpressed by the winger’s attitude during Euro 2024, and Okafor lashed out at the national team for a lack of communication last November.
However, the Swiss head coach and Pierluigi Tami, the national team director, were in attendance to watch Leeds beat Nottingham Forest last week.
Okafor was on the scoresheet, and Tami indicated that the door is open for the winger to return to the national team just ahead of the World Cup.
Tami told Swiss daily Blick: “We saw a strong performance from Noah, in which he showed what he’s capable of.
“Afterwards, we had an honest, clarifying, and constructive conversation. This is a good foundation for Noah’s potential return to the national team.”
Okafor needs a strong finish to the season
Leeds took a gamble when they signed Okafor last summer. His last season in Italy was poor, and his injury record didn’t help either.
However, the Whites took a chance, and while he has not been terrible, the club would have expected more from a player they spent £18m on last summer.
A detailed statistical breakdown of Noah Okafor’s performances for Leeds United this season, highlighting his goal output and attacking efficiency.
Goals
Expected Goals (xG)
Scoring Frequency
Goals per Game
Total Shots
Shots on Target per Game
Big Chances Missed
Goal Conversion Rate
A change in formation has not helped the winger, but Okafor has been largely patchy and has scored just four times for Leeds this season.
The World Cup could be a huge motivation for the winger, but he needs to do more to ensure that he is in line to return to the national team in the summer.
Leeds hope that the lure of playing for the national team on the biggest stage will bring out the best in him in the remaining months of the campaign.