‘We definitely need…’ – Daniel Farke outlines new Leeds transfer plans MOT Leeds News
Daniel Farke seeks more creativity as he outlines Leeds United transfer plans
Daniel Farke has revealed he is looking to bring in more creativity at Leeds United as he detailed his plans for the rest of the transfer window.
The Whites boss has seen his squad heavily depleted this summer after a number of players have chosen to exercise clauses in their contracts to leave the club following the relegation to the Championship.
The club drafted in defender Ethan Ampadu from Chelsea for a reported £7million plus add-ons on 19 July, but Farke’s focus is now firmly on adding more creativity to his side.
Speaking to LeedsLive, the German said: “I’m not so addicted too much to a position so I have also learned during my life as a coach, when you don’t have a proper number 10, you have to play without a 10.
“We definitely need a bit more creativity but it doesn’t have to be natural, proper number 10, like perhaps the old-fashioned number 10. You could also do this with different types of players but we definitely need also a bit more creativity: [players] who will find the pass, who set up perhaps second to last class pass, to be there with assists.
“We need a bit more end product out of midfield. I think that also when you analyse last season there were not too many goals out of the midfield positions and it’s definitely something that we’re looking for, too, to find the right quality and also then the finances to sign.
“It’s also not that easy – also not for us (for other teams) – and probably we have to be a bit patient.”
Makes sense
The recruitment side of things must be a difficult task for Farke and the team around him at the moment in time, given that he doesn’t really know which players he will have at his disposal by the time the transfer window slams shut.
But he will know that he has to plan for life without a number of the wantaway stars as he attempts to build a squad capable of challenging for promotion next season.
It’s good that he’s identified the area he would most like to improve, though, and it’s no real surprise that he’s looking to add more creativity.
Although the Whites have faced two difficult opponents in their opening two pre-season games – Manchester United and Monaco – they have so far failed to score a goal.
Farke is right to point out that creativity from central areas was also a problem last season, as not one attacking midfielder scored more than one league goal and the highest-recorded assists from a central player was three.
It makes complete sense for the manager to be focusing his energy on improving this area of the squad, but everyone is always on the lookout for those types of players so it won’t be an easy task.