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Released Sep 19, 2026, 7:10 AM GMT +1
A reporter given that 2015, Daniel started his profession composing for Fresh Press before advancing into a full-time writing and modifying function, producing club-focused protection for Read Norwich, Read Celtic, Read Liverpool and Read Arsenal. He later on invested practically a year with Liverpool-based outlet Anfield Watch, where his work consisted of performing and transcribing interviews with figures consisting of Liverpool goalkeeping coach John Achterberg, previous Wycombe striker Adebayo Akinfenwa and reporter Fabrizio Romano.
Daniel has actually dealt with Snack Media (now Valnet) because 2021, adding to Football FanCast as both an author and editor. His work focuses especially on gamer analysis, transfer insight and initial football functions, integrating in-depth understanding of the video game with research-driven evaluation of gamers, clubs and prospective relocations.
His expert understanding of Norwich City and the Football League has actually likewise seen him add to BBC Norfolk and help DAZN with research study for commentary broadcasts. As a Norwich City season-ticket holder, Daniel brings a level of first-hand understanding of the club and its gamers that matches his broader knowledge throughout the Championship and EFL. His Norwich protection has actually likewise included in publications consisting of the Coventry Telegraph and Liverpool Echo.
Along With his Football League competence, Daniel has actually covered Celtic and Rangers thoroughly, establishing a strong understanding of Scottish football. His work offers readers notified transfer evaluation, comprehensive gamer analysis and reliable insight into clubs and competitors he has actually invested years following and reporting on.
Leeds United accomplished their objective of staying in the Premier League last season after they made promo from the Championship in the 2024/25 project.
<p>The Whites ended up 14th in the Premier League under Daniel Farke and prevented an immediate transfer directly pull back to the 2nd tier, however that was not completion of the journey.</p>
<figure><picture><source media="(max-width: 480px)" data-srcset="https://pmnsports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/localimages/mixcollage-05-aug-2026-04-54-pm-7662.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=500&dpr=2">
</source></picture><small>REUTERS/Craig Brough</small></figure>
2nd season syndrome in the top-flight requirements to be prevented and Leeds have actually had a strong start to the project, winning 2 and drawing 2 of their very first 4 video games.
<p>Changing star gamers and making sure that there suffices depth in the team is essential to long-lasting sustainability in the Premier League, as revealed by just how much the Whites had a hard time after they offered Raphinha in 2022.</p>
<strong><source media="(max-width: 767px)" data-srcset="https://pmnsports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/localimages/raphinha-leeds-record-timeless.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=800&dpr=2"> <source media="(max-width: 1023px)" data-srcset="https://pmnsports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/localimages/raphinha-leeds-record-timeless.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"> <img width="1650" height="1376" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="sports news Raphinha-Leeds-record-timeless" src="https://pmnsports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/localimages/raphinha-leeds-record-timeless.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" previous-src="https://pmnsports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/localimages/raphinha-leeds-record-timeless.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"> The error Leeds made with Raphinha in 2022</source></source></strong>
The Brazil worldwide scored 17 objectives and supplied 12 helps in 2 seasons at Elland Road before being grabbed by Spanish giants Barcelona for a club-record charge of ₤ 55m at the end of the 2021/22 project.
Raphinha played an essential function in the club’s success in the Premier League with his contributions on top end of the pitch, cutting in on his left foot from the best flank.
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The team preparation by Jesse Marsch and the board was not great enough due to the fact that the club did not sign a direct replacement for the Brazilian on the ideal wing in the summertime of 2022.
<p>Rather, they purchased Luis Sinisterra from Feyenoord to use the left wing and chose Jack Harrison as the first-choice alternative in the position that Raphinha abandoned.</p> <div>
<tr>
<p>Premier League</p>
<p>Raphinha (21/22)</p>
<p>Harrison (22/23)</p>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Looks</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>36</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>35</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Objectives</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>11</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>5</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Objectives per video game</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>0.3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>0.1</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Secret passes per video game</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>1.9[<sourcemedia data-srcset="https://pmnsports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/localimages/jack-harrison.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=800&dpr=2"> <source media="(max-width: 1023px)" data-srcset="https://pmnsports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/localimages/jack-harrison.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"> <img width="1650" height="826" loading="lazy" decoding="async" alt="sports news Jack-Harrison" src="https://pmnsports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/localimages/jack-harrison.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2" previous-src="https://pmnsports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/localimages/jack-harrison.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=825&dpr=2"> 19659033]1.5</source></sourcemedia></p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Huge possibilities produced</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>10</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>9</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Effective dribbles per video game</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>1.8</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>1.3</p>
</td>
</tr>
</div>
The English forward did not offer as much quality at the leading end of the pitch as Raphinha did in the Premier League, and Leeds were relegated from the department at the end of the 2022/23 project.
<strong>Leeds have actually discovered greatest downgrade given that Raphinha to Harrison</strong>
Now, as the Whites head into their 2nd season in the Premier League under Farke, they might have discovered their most significant downgrade given that they went from Raphinha to Harrison.
<div data-img-url="https://pmnsports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/localimages/jack-harrison.jpg" data-modal-id="single-image-modal" data-modal-container-id="single-image-modal-container" data-img-caption="">
<picture><source media="(max-width: 480px)" data-srcset="https://pmnsports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/localimages/jack-harrison.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=500&dpr=2"><source media="(max-width: 767px)" data-srcset="https://pmnsports.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/localimages/jack-harrison.jpg?q=49&fit=crop&w=800&dpr=2">
</source></source></picture>
</div>
Among the glaring holes in the team heading into the summertime transfer window was the left-back position, as Gabriel Gudmundsson was the only natural alternative because position.
<p>James Justin and Sam Byram, who left the club this summer season, both played there sometimes last season, however they are right-footed gamers who are more comfy on the best side of the defence.</p> <p>Understanding that they had this hole in the team, Leeds stroked to sign left-back Melvin Bard from Ligue 1 side Nice towards completion of the window, signing him on loan with an alternative to make it long-term for ₤ 4.3 m next summertime.</p>
The 25-year-old protector has not had a perfect start to his time at Elland Road, however, and is currently appearing like a huge downgrade in contrast to Gudmundsson.
<p>Bard made his launching in the League Cup clash with Chelsea previously this month and became part of a Leeds group that yielded 6 times to the Blues at Stamford Bridge.</p> <div>
<tr>
<p>Melvin Bard</p>
<p>Vs Chelsea</p>
<p>Vs Newcastle</p>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Minutes played</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>78</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>18</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>xA</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>0.00</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>0.00</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Precise crosses</p>
</td>
<td>
</td>
<td>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Tackles won</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>1/3</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>1/1</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Blocks</p>
</td>
<td>
</td>
<td>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Clearances</p>
</td>
<td>
</td>
<td>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Ground battles won</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>5/8</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>1/3</p>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>
<p>Aerial battles won</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>0/2</p>
</td>
<td>
<p>1/2</p>
</td>
</tr>
</div>
The left-footed flop has actually lost 8 of his 15 battles throughout his very first 2 looks for the West Yorkshire attire, consisting of 3 of his 5 battles on his Premier League launching versus Newcastle.
Bard came off the bench for the last 18 minutes versus the Magpies and the away side right away began producing opportunities from the area that he quit, ultimately scoring by getting in down the right and squaring the ball for Bazoumane Toure to score.
The Nice loanee might be offered the reason that he is brand-new to English football and is still adapting to his environment, which is reasonable, however the early indications have actually not been assuring.
<p>Leeds have an exceptionally vibrant and outstanding left-back with Gudmundsson, who won 54 % of his battles and developed 4 'huge opportunities' in the league last term, and Bard presently appears like a significant downgrade at left-back.</p>
<figure><picture>
</picture><small>REUTERS/Isabel Infantes</small></figure>
<p>Wise succession preparation is the essential to long-lasting success in the Premier League, and the club might have simply fizzled on that front in the left-back position.</p>
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