‘His big wish’… Daniel Farke says 23-year-old played asked to leave Leeds United on deadline day
Daniel Farke delivered his verdict on Leeds United’s January transfer window after last night’s 1-0 win at Bristol City.
Farke reiterated throughout the whole of last month that he would only speak when business is done and with the deadline having slammed shut at 11pm on Thursday, he has now gone into more detail.
Leeds made only one signing throughout the window and made supporters wait right until the very final moment as Connor Roberts joined on loan from Burnley until the end of the season.
However, there was plenty of activity going the other way at Elland Road and one surprise departure on deadline day was Ian Poveda’s exit, as he joined Sheffield Wednesday until the end of the season.
Speaking in his post-match press conference on Friday, Farke says Poveda was keen to make the move to South Yorkshire and so an exit was sanctioned, as he only wants players who are ‘fully committed’.
Poveda asked for Wednesday move
He said: “His big wish and desire to have this move. We wish him all the best. In this position we have a lot of competition. We were a bit reluctant to extend his contract. We just want players who are fully committed.”
Poveda is out of contract at Leeds in the summer and according to Farke, they were hesitant over handing him an extension. Even though he only left on loan, that will be the end of his time at the club.
The 23-year-old has now been handed the opportunity to go and earn himself a permanent contract somewhere in the summer, providing he is able perform at Hillsborough.
Despite showing some signs of what he can do under Farke, he only made seven Championship appearances this season, six of which all came from the bench.
Leeds opted against bringing in a replacement for Poveda but it is a decision which shouldn’t prove too costly, as Willy Gnonto finally showed what he can do at Bristol City last night.
