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Unlike last season, the Whites now have multiple players Daniel Farke can choose between for each position.
However, whilst we now have depth, there are players that make up the spine of this Leeds side who are unlikely to ever be dropped unless they’re injured. The likes of Ethan Ampadu, Anton Stach, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James Trafford spring to mind.
Naturally, it is hard for some of our other players to displace them, and with less than a year left on his deal, one Leeds ace needs to prove to the 49ers that he’s worth keeping around.
Lukas Nmecha has a point to prove this season as his Leeds contract dwindles down
It’s certainly fair to say now that if both are fit, Lukas Nmecha will never start over Calvert-Lewin in the Premier League. Farke’s team selections have made this abundantly clear. At best, he can hope to start up top alongside Calvert-Lewin, but we rarely played with two strikers.
Of the German’s 31 Premier League appearances last season, just 10 were starts. Despite his limited game time, Nmecha scored six league goals and grabbed an assist. This season, Nmecha is yet to score but has one assist in five Premier League cameos off the bench. (Sofascore)
The 27-year-old is effectively fighting for his future at Elland Road this season, with his contract expiring next summer.
Nmecha scored some important goals for us last season. His strikes against Everton and Fulham at home spring to mind. But his performances last season have yet to convince the 49ers to tie him down for the long term.
According to reports from Football Insider, Farke is looking to sign a new striker next summer. With United only having two strikers and with Nmecha’s contract expiring next summer, this is hardly groundbreaking news.
However, it is a reminder that if Nmecha wants to stay at Elland Road and not be replaced, he’s only got 32 more Premier League games, plus however many we play in the FA Cup, to prove why he should be offered a new deal.
Wouldn’t be rushing to offer Lukas Nmecha a new deal
I’m pretty relaxed when it comes to the Nmecha contract saga. The reason being, I think that we’re the highest-level club Nmecha could be at right now if he wants to stay in the Premier League.
If he leaves, it’ll be because he wants to play regularly, which is fair enough. I could see him joining one of the newly promoted Premier League sides next season or moving back to the Bundesliga or abroad elsewhere.
But in England, there’s no way any of the clubs who finish above us sign Nmecha, with all due respect.
Personally, if Nmecha has a similar campaign to what he did last season, I’d offer him a two-year deal.
However, either next summer or the one after, I would be looking to sign another striker too, knocking Nmecha down to being our third choice.
Even if we do offer the German a new deal, I still think he’ll leave in the summer. I just think after putting his injury troubles behind him, it seems he’ll want to go out and play in the prime years of his career.
But if he does want to stay at Elland Road, Nmecha will have to prove he is up to the level to still contribute for us, especially if we are in and around the European spots.