Definitely in my thoughts’… Daniel Farke hints £2.5m player could be handed full Leeds debut vs Chelsea
Leeds United face a trip to Chelsea in the FA Cup fifth round tomorrow night and rotation feels highly likely.
The game at Stamford Bridge is Leeds‘ first of four matches in 10 days and with the Championship promotion battle looking set to go down to the wire, it is clear where Farke’s priority is.
Leeds face an extremely short turnaround after Chelsea with an away game at Huddersfield Town at lunchtime on Saturday, in what is new manager Andre Breitenreiter’s first in charge at home.
Farke has already confirmed Dan James, Crysencio Summerville, Georginio Rutter and Patrick Bamford are all doubtful, and it would be a surprise to see many, if any at all, risked on Wednesday.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference yesterday, Farke claimed a number of players have come into his thinking for start, including Connor Roberts, who is still awaiting his full debut.
Farke hints at Roberts full debut
He said: “All my players are in my thoughts because we have such a tight group. We don’t have to take too many tough decisions at this moment. Connor is an experienced player and had a great impact in the last game. He’s definitely in my thoughts.”
Roberts has come off the bench in all four of his appearances for Leeds since arriving from Burnley, including to great effect on Friday against Leicester City, as his equalising goal started the comeback victory.
The £2.5m man has been unable to dislodge Archie Gray from that starting spot at right-back but a cup tie feels like the perfect game to throw him in.
Having made the move in January, Roberts will have been hoping to play regularly and while that is yet to materialise, his cameos have been clear evidence of how good he is at this level.
With the busy period coming up, it would be a surprise if Chelsea is the only game in which he starts, so Farke can keep the squad fresh.
