One of the best things Daniel Farke has done at Leeds United is bring everyone together.
Relegation from the Premier League brings all sorts of chaos, uncertainty, lack of trust, problems and division at the club.
That’s exactly what Leeds were facing when they dropped down in the summer, but the new man in their dugout showcased his outstanding man-management skills, picked everyone up and got them together.
Well, after Wales failed to reach Euro 2024 on Tuesday night after a penalty shootout defeat to Poland, it left the country devastated, including four Leeds players.
Joe Rodon, who is on loan from Tottenham, Ethan Ampadu, who played the entire 120 minutes, Connor Roberts, who was hauled off after 84 minutes and Daniel James were all involved, including the latter missing the only spot-kick of the shootout.
Troy Deeney was asked if this will affect Leeds and these players in the club’s push for promotion from the Championship, and he made it clear that it won’t, as he told talkSPORT (27/03/24 at 10:20 am).
The former striker referenced Virgil van Dijk and his latest post on social media where he stated, after Netherlands’ international fixtures, that ‘all focus will be on Liverpool’
Troy Deeney added that there are ‘two different switches’ from these players from, when they represent their country, and then their clubs.
Either way, the outspoken pundit warned Dan James that if he doesn’t pick himself quickly enough, then he will soon find himself on Leeds’ bench.
Daniel James’ penalty miss costs Wales Euro 2024 place
“Troy, do you think this will affect the four Leeds players in their push for promotion that experience last night with the Welsh, especially Dan James,” asked Jim White.
Deeney responded: “No, I don’t think so. It’s a completely different thing. When you go with the national team, I have been there when the boys come back. They have this kind of ‘ooff, that was good, now let’s get back to it’.
“I saw a post from Virgil van Dijk last night where he said ‘great to be with the national team, but now all focus on Liverpool’. It’s two different switches completely, some of these would have been friendlies and, of course, the one with Wales wasn’t. I think the boys at Leeds, they are on a great push. They know, especially someone like Dan James, if he isn’t playing well, the quality they have in the team, he will fall back onto the bench and won’t be involved.”
Will Leeds United return to the Premier League?
You feel this international break hasn’t helped Leeds’ cause because they were on such a momentum charge.
They had just reached the top of the table, with Leicester City in FA Cup action on that weekend, and the Whites’ 12th win in 13 league games.
The quicker that momentum can come back – they face Watford away on Friday night – the more fans will start to believe that a return to the elite will be on the cards.
The last time Leeds dropped into England’s second tier, it took them two decades to return, but things are much different now and you would be surprised now if they aren’t one of the three to make a return.