Daniel Farke will be ‘sacked’ by Leeds if glaring problem is not solved
Daniel Farke faces the Leeds United sack if he does not address his team’s goal scoring issues following a shock League Cup exit.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin suffered a shocking debut for Leeds, as he missed a penalty which contributed to the club being knocked out of the League Cup at the first hurdle against Championship opposition.
Farke’s side were held to a 1-1 draw against financially troubled Sheffield Wednesday who took the lead following Karl Darlow’s goalkeeping error.
Calvert-Lewin missed a golden opportunity in injury time to send Leeds through to the next round before blazing over his spot kick in the penalty shootout, whilst fellow striker Joel Piroe had his effort saved.
After leaving Everton, Calvert-Lewin signed for Leeds as a free agent but on his first appearance for the club the 28-year-old does not appear to show he will be the man to steer Leeds to Premier League safety.
Leeds face lack of goals despite three new additions
Leeds have only scored one goal in their two Premier League matches so far, a penalty from Lukas Nmecha against Everton, and despite having 80% against Wednesday and 25 shots on goal they could not progress.
Calvert-Lewin has only hit double figures in the Premier League in two seasons, the latest being in the 2020/21 campaign.
Injuries have hampered the striker, and on a free transfer the signing is perhaps seen as risk-free, but Leeds urgently need a proven Premier League goal scorer.
Noah Okafor has arrived from AC Milan, but the 25 year old’s goal record in recent seasons in Serie A leaves a lot to be desired.
Unable to hit double figures in over 40 appearances in Italy, Okafor is going to struggle in the Premier League.
| Appearances | 43 |
| Goals | 7 |
| Assists | 2 |
Piroe and Nmecha have also never played in the top-flight, so relying on Calvert-Lewin, and his injury record, is a huge gamble that Farke cannot afford to take.
Daniel Farke’s Premier League record makes for grim reading
Farke failed in his last Premier League job at Norwich, as so far the German has only proved himself to be a successful Championship manager so far in England.
Norwich suffered relegation in the 2019/20 season, scoring just 26 goals in the campaign.
Farke was sacked on his next venture into the Premier League with Norwich, after the Canaries waited till November to record their first win of the season under his guidance.
His transfer activity will be questioned if the goals do not flow, as Farke has signed three new strikers, with only one of them having prior Premier League experience.
Manor Solomon has not returned from Spurs after a successful loan spell, and Calvert-Lewin will need service to be able to thrive.
The transfer window is just days away from closing and Farke still requires a creative forward and a proven goal scorer.
Premier League safety could hinge on their late transfer activity or the Leeds board will only have one decision to make.