The #LUFC Breakfast Debate (Monday 25th August) - Leeds looked susceptible and exposed as Arsenal hit five
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Good Morning. It's Monday 25th August, and here are the latest headlines from Elland Road...
Farke left his players susceptible and exposed
In the wake of the 5-0 drubbing at the hands of Arsenal, questions marks will be raised over the sustainability of Daniel Farke as head coach. Whilst it's essential not to overreact to a single bad result, his approach to the game was naive, and it left his players susceptible and exposed.
Instead of frustrating the opposition, slowing the game down, disrupting rhythm and interrupting play; Leeds decided to go toe to toe against one of Europe's elite - it was always going to be a suicide mission! We constantly see teams at the wrong end of the table adopt these tactics, whilst it's not pretty, the effectiveness could keep the Whites in the top flight!
It wasn't long ago that teams like Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest were in the same position as us, and look where they are now! Both took the ruthless approach to sack their respective managers when better options became available, despite relative safety from relegation.
The question now becomes whether Leeds should consider replacing Farke, even if he manages to keep us up? While it is essential to give credit where it is due, we must consider the long-term future of the club.
James Justin set to sign
James Justin is set to seal his £8 million move (with a further £2 million in add‑ons) from Leicester City to Leeds United today after passing his medical over the weekend.
The 27‑year‑old England‑capped full‑back brings a rare blend of defensive solidity and attacking flair, having logged 36 Premier League appearances for Leicester last season and contributed two goals and two assists. What truly sets Justin apart is his versatility: although his natural position is right‑back, he has comfortably slotted in at left‑back, central midfield, right midfield and even left wing during his tenure at Luton Town and Leicester.
This flexibility gives Leeds a valuable option on both flanks, a quality that will be vital as the club seeks to cement its place in the top flight after a recent promotion. In addition to his positional adaptability, Justin arrives with nearly 100 Premier League games under his belt, meaning he knows the pressure of fighting both relegation and survival.
Leeds have already bolstered their squad with signings such as Noah Okafor, Dominic Calvert‑Lewin, Lukas Nmecha, Lucas Perri, Lukas Bijol, Sebastiaan Bornauw, Gabriel Gudmundsson, Anton Stach and Sean Longstaff. Justin's arrival also triggers the loan of Isaac Schmidt to Werder Bremen, which includes an option to buy.
Tanaka injury blow
Leeds fans face an anxious wait to find out the severity of Ao Tanaka's knee injury sustained during their trip to the Emirates at the weekend. Manager Daniel Farke shed some light on the situation, revealing that the Japanese International experienced issues with his MCL (medial collateral ligament) following a first-half tackle. This setback comes at a particularly challenging time for the Whites, especially in the midfield department. Skipper Ethan Ampadu is already facing a month on the sidelines with similar MCL damage, leaving a significant void in the squad's central core.
After a tackle in the first half, he had problems with his MCL (medial collateral ligament). “He kept going and I hope it’s not too bad. I hope the assessment is not too bad. There are a few concerns that it would be an injury but it’s normally positive that he could play further on. But we will have to assess him and we will see how long it takes to get him fit and back to full fitness.
Adios Largie
Largie Ramazani’s time at Leeds United appears to be drawing to a close, with widespread speculation linking the Belgian winger with a move to Spain. Despite endearing himself to the Elland Road faithful , Ramazani faced significant challenges in securing regular first-team football, fuelling rumours about his relationship with Daniel Farke.
The recent acquisition of Noah Okafor, which marks Leeds United’s ninth summer addition, seemingly represents the final nail in the coffin for the 24 year old. His conspicuous absence from the Leeds squad that travelled to face Arsenal this weekend further solidified these reports, with various Spanish outlets insisting that Ramazani is on the verge of completing a switch to La Liga giants Valencia.
Details emerging from Spain suggest the deal is structured as an initial free loan, with Valencia retaining an option to make the move permanent next summer. This prospective transfer offers Ramazani a fresh start and the intriguing prospect of reuniting with former Leeds assistant manager Carlos Corberan, who now manages at the Mestalla Stadium.