Daniel Farke sends selection message to Sean Longstaff amid 10-month Leeds United streak

Daniel Farke has told Sean Longstaff to make the most of any minutes, insisting team picks are about what benefits Leeds, not personalities. Leeds Live reports that the message came before Monday’s meeting with the midfielder’s former club Newcastle.

Longstaff has started 10 Premier League and five cup matches since leaving Newcastle last summer. All league starts arrived before an ankle injury last November, despite an eye-catching pre-season this year.

A switch to a back three last season reduced the need for three deep-lying midfielders to two. Ethan Ampadu is a near-certain pick, Anton Stach has impressed and Ao Tanaka’s form has grown.

The 28-year-old started Wednesday’s 6-3 League Cup tie at Chelsea, completing 96% of his passes and making three tackles. Leeds were 2-0 up by the 48th minute, before a seven-minute home comeback, and he went off on 67 minutes. He also blazed a good chance over on the half-hour, a miss Farke said surprised him.

That outing will not have lifted him up the pecking order. Farke praised Longstaff’s experience and penalty-box instinct but stressed fierce competition in midfield. He said chances in cups, league cameos and training must be seized, and that selections are based on the team’s needs rather than seniority or likeability.

Source: Leeds Live

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