Leeds United have announced the signing of Harry Wilson on a four-year contract, with Daniel Farke integral in convincing him to join.
The Whites are finally off the mark for summer transfer business with the capture of Harry Wilson on an impressive free transfer.
Wales’ star right-winger joins Leeds on a four-year deal off the back of 11 goals and eight assists in a Fulham shirt last season.
Daniel Farke integral to Harry Wilson agreeing to join Leeds United
Convincing Wilson that Elland Road was the best place for him to take his career is a significant statement from United.
Plenty of factors beyond the financial incentive weighed into this decision. Multiple Wales teammates being at the club, plus the stature of Leeds United, and the manager have all helped convince the 29-year-old.
The Athletic have now shed further light on Wilson’s arrival, noting Farke’s influence on the right-winger’s decision.
“Speaking with the manager here, he’s told me I’m a player he’s watched for years and tried to get me at a couple of clubs in the past and obviously last summer as well. To have a manager, when he isn’t your manager, who watches you from the outside, that’s important,” Wilson told Beren Cross.
Worrying Daniel Farke insight made as Leeds United plan for 26/27 with Harry Wilson
Looking at our side that finished last season, the 3-4-2-1 is literally tailor made for someone of Wilson’s profile. Brenden Aaronson did commendably in a role not exactly made for him, as a hybrid midfielder that can operate as a winger and supporting forward.
Wilson, however, is perfect for the role. As a left-footer, he adds another dimension to our chance creation while being able to create from wide and centrally just as well.
Worryingly, though, the same report notes how Farke is considering reverting to a possession-focused back four formation.
“Wilson is a left-footed attacker, who liked to drift in from the right flank at Fulham, either creating or scoring goals as he came into central positions. He noted the 3-4-2-1 formation Leeds finished last season in and the success he had playing as one of the two behind the striker in that set-up, both with Wales and Fulham,” Cross explains.
“Whether Leeds remain in that shape next season remains to be seen. Wilson said, during their conversation, Farke reiterated his natural desire to see his teams dominate the ball and regain possession high up the pitch.
“The manager also mentioned his preference for a four-man defence. However Farke wants to set Leeds up at Nottingham Forest on August 22, Wilson’s early arrival means he has the entirety of pre-season to prepare.”
Farke has consistently played down the impact specifically of changing to a back three as the reason for our survival. In the German’s view, it’s the focus on principles that’s more important.
“If it’s that easy, we play 3-5-2 and we just win, then anyone could be a Premier League manager. It has to fit to a game, to a structure,” Farke said at the start of December.
However, anyone who watched us after half-time at Man City away will testify to the massive improvement made by changing formation and importantly changing to a more direct approach.
So, the fact Farke wants to dominate the ball more is concerning. That’s not how he finally bucked his trend of being relegated in the Premier League. He flipped that narrative by leaning into the physicality of the squad and going direct, winning the ball high and getting the ball into the final third quickly.
There are times where his ball-dominant focus will come into play, such as games vs ‘lesser’ sides. But, it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach, especially for a side that is only a season into this Premier League project.
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