Farke Could Ditch Leeds “Liability” For £30k-p/w Titan

After a protracted search to discover a new everlasting head coach, Leeds United have moved to finish the latest uncertainty by snapping up former Norwich Metropolis and Borussia Monchengladbach boss, Daniel Farke.

The 46-year-old – who has been appointed on a four-year deal – has been tasked with attempting to take the Elland Highway outfit again into the highest flight, having beforehand loved two promotions from the Championship throughout his prior stint with the Canaries.

If the German tactician is to repeat that feat in his new environment, nonetheless, one key space that he might want to enhance is the membership’s dour defensive document, with the Whites having shipped 79 and 78 league goals in every of the final two seasons, respectively.

Such a grim return has not been helped by the woes of first-choice goalkeeper, Illan Meslier, with the 6 foot 6 Frenchman having arguably been “a massive liability” for his aspect final time period, as per journalist David Kent.

As Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher said throughout that dismal 2022/23 marketing campaign, the 23-year-old arguably seems like a “child in purpose” attributable to his slender body, as he merely gives “no presence” within the sticks.

The previous Lorient man notably made three errors leading to goals within the Premier League final season as an indication of his shortcomings, with solely Tottenham Hotspur’s Hugo Lloris making extra errors within the division (4).

The £30k-per-week man’s pricey blunders in the end noticed him axed from the beginning lineup for the final four games of the season following Sam Allardyce’s interim appointment, with one-time Everton man Joel Robles having been given the nod as a substitute.

As per The Athletic’s Phil Hay, the expectation is that Meslier will be moved on this summer season if a suitable supply is acquired by the membership, with Farke seemingly needing to make sure that he does all he can to lastly rid Leeds of their problematic stopper.

Who may change Meslier at Leeds?

With the aforementioned Robles having left the Yorkshire aspect following the expiry of his contract final month, Farke is at present brief on choices with regard to who can change the France U21 worldwide forward of subsequent season.

That being mentioned, in keeping with Sky Sports activities reporter Keith Downie, Leeds are mentioned to be “battling it out” with AFC Bournemouth for the signing of Newcastle United’s, Karl Darlow, with a bid for the 32-year-old probably within the offing.

The 6 foot 3 Englishman – who has two years left to run on his present deal at St James’ Park – notably loved a robust spell on mortgage at Hull Metropolis within the second half of final season, having arguably been “excellent” for the Tigers, in keeping with pundit Carlton Palmer.

As Palmer additionally said – when discussing Middlesborough’s curiosity in Darlow – the one-time Nottingham Forest man may symbolize a “shrewd piece of business“, significantly as he’s valued at just €800k (£700k), in keeping with Soccer Transfers.

With latest studies suggesting that Meslier may command a fee of around £30m if he’s to be offered, Farke may then utilise these funds elsewhere to strengthen his squad, whereas snapping up the Magpies man for a doable discount payment.

Whereas Darlow’s impression on Tyneside has been sporadic of late – having made just 100 appearances for the membership during the last 9 years – his kind on mortgage at Hull ought to symbolize a robust gauge of his high quality, as he stored five clean sheets from just 12 outings – the identical as Meslier achieved from 34 appearances final season.

As such, if Farke is trying to transfer the latter man on, then snapping up the £30k-per-week titan may very well be simply the answer for these at Elland Highway.