Daniel Farke’s formation change has relaunched Leeds in the Premier League
After intense speculation about his future, Daniel Farke has led Leeds United on a run of two wins and two draws in their last four outings.
The trip to face Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium roughly a month ago had the potential to end Daniel Farke’s time as Leeds United manager and plunge the club deeper into relegation trouble. That certainly appeared to be the case as the visitors trailed 2-0 after only 25 minutes. A heavy defeat, and Farke’s last stand, was in the offing.
And yet Leeds found something in the next 75 minutes of that game. They fought back to 2-2 and while Farke’s side ultimately lost 3-2 this was used as the catalyst for an unexpected run of form that has lifted Leeds out of the bottom three in the Premier League table. On their current trajectory, Farke is guiding his team to safety.
Last Saturday’s emphatic 4-1 win over Crystal Palace was the starkest illustration so far of Leeds’ dramatic improvement. Against an opponent sitting comfortably in the top half of the table, the Elland Road outfit were rampant. Far from being at risk of losing his job, Farke is now leading a team that has finally found its groove.
The match against Manchester City in late November was such a turning point because it saw Farke change his approach. With Leeds 2-0 down and with nothing to lose, the German coach shifted shape, moving his side to a 3-5-2 formation that saw Noah Okafor pushed up alongside Dominic Calvert-Lewin in a front two.
Farke has re-used this formation in wins over Chelsea and Crystal Palace as well as draws against Liverpool and Brentford. It’s a tactical set-up that suits Leeds and the players within their squad, giving them defensive strength while also getting bodies into the attacking third more quickly than before.
Calvert-Lewin has been the biggest beneficiary from this change. While the 28-year-old was previously isolated in matches and coming under scrutiny from his own supporters, Calvert-Lewin has now scored in each of his last five games, equalling his career-best run of form from his Everton days.
Okafor is combining with Calvert-Lewin in the final third, giving the English forward the sort of support he previously lacked. It’s not just Okafor getting closer to Calvert-Lewin – it’s the likes of Brenden Aaronson and Anton Stach who are now doing more to push forward from central midfield.
“I enjoy having bodies around me,” said Calvert-Lewin after bagging a brace in Saturday’s eye-catching win over Crystal Palace which took the striker’s tally to seven goals for the season. “It can be a lonely role up there on your own. With bodies around you, you can link play, and I think that’s why I’ve had success recently.”
Calvert-Lewin is back to his best, prompting some to question whether Thomas Tuchel should be paying attention. It’s been five years since Calvert-Lewin last played for England, but in his current form it’s not out of the question that he could earn himself a place at next summer’s World Cup.
In the past, Farke has been accused of being too rigid. Supporters have complained about the German’s unwillingness to make changes from the bench early in matches. Recently, though, Farke has addressed both weaknesses, even tweaking his tactics and making substitutions at half time.
Stach has been empowered by the additional support around him in the centre of the pitch. The German midfielder now has Gabriel Gudmundsson on his left side as a wing back. He has Calvert-Lewin and Okafor ahead of him, ready to receive a pass or get on the end of a cross. He also has Ethan Ampadu and Aaronson alongside him.
Against Palace, Stach registered 10 crosses. He made five key passes, more than any other Leeds player on the pitch. Calvert-Lewin might be the one putting the ball in the back of the net right now, but Stach is the rhythm-builder and chance creator driving Leeds forward from deep.
Jaka Bijol, Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk have quickly developed chemistry as a back three, giving Leeds more and better angles to play out from defence. On the right side, Jayden Bogle is being pushed so high that he is essentially operating as an out-and-out winger. From back to front, left to right, Leeds’ new approach and framework suits them.
There are some big challenges ahead. Farke will take his team to the North East to face Sunderland on Sunday before a trip to Anfield on New Year’s Day. Leeds have already taken points from Liverpool this season, but the defending Premier League champions have shown signs of staging their own recovery since then.
Nonetheless, Leeds’ recent resurgence has given them a chance of Premier League survival when many, perhaps even those in charge of the club who were reportedly considering Farke’s position, had written them off. The last month or so has shown Leeds the way to staying up against the odds.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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