Leeds were knocked out of the League Cup in dramatic fashion by Chelsea in midweek, but they now turn their attention back to the Premier League as they welcome Newcastle to Elland Road on Monday.
Daniel Farke will be more than pleased with his side’s start to the season, as they remain one of just eight undefeated teams in top flight action, and his new signings have taken to English football with aplomb.
Tarik Muharemovic has been excellent at the heart of defence while Nico Elvedi will now have a significant role due to Joe Rodon’s injury, and fans are also patiently awaiting the debut of Jean-Mattéo Bahoya.
The Leeds boss suggested the 21 year-old is still some way off the physicality required in the Premier League, but couldn’t say enough about his talent ahead of the clash with Newcastle.
“He is very young and we have to prepare him physically for Premier League level. He has unbelievable skill and pace. He can hurt teams but we have to make sure his all-round game is prepared for the top level.
“We are working hard with him. He is a top guy and is working very hard in training. Football is different in Germany and France – here it is more physical and intense.”
But Bahoya is not the only young forward Farke has promised to get more out of in the coming weeks and months. Noah Okafor, so influential for Leeds at times last season, is another the Whites boss believes still has another level to hit once he is firing on all cylinders.
Farke backs Okafor for breakout season at Leeds
Asked about Okafor’s decision to step back from international football with Switzerland, Farke explained the thinking behind it and how it should benefit the club: “He came to inform and I appreciate he spoke to me. It is Noah’s decision and he knows what is best for his career. We have a home here for Noah where he is appreciated. It’s sometimes beneficial for a career. We take the best out of it and make sure he concentrates even more at the club and he can use the international breaks to recharge.”
The German admitted the winger has been managed carefully through a taxing pre-season, hinting there is a lot more to come from the 26 year-old once he is fully fit and firing.
“Noah was a key player for us especially at the end of last season. He has this X factor where he can take players on with unbelievable pace and he has quality in the end product.
“He has had a difficult pre-season and can’t play 90 minutes every game. Sometimes after 60 or 70 minutes we have to look after him. There’s more to come from him and I’m looking forward to having him at 100%.”
Noah Okafor career so far | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|
Red Bull Salzburg | 110 | 34 | 23 |
AC Milan | 54 | 7 | 5 |
FC Basel 1893 | 54 | 7 | 5 |
Leeds United | 38 | 8 | 4 |
Napoli | 4 | 0 | 0 |
With Bahoya pushing for more minutes and Okafor edging back towards full fitness, Farke’s attacking options look set to get considerably stronger as the season progresses – starting, potentially, with the visit of a Newcastle side who have shipped four goals through three games so far.
