Leeds United Concern Grows Over 21-Year-Old Winger After Just Two Minutes Under Farke: What Should They Do?

Leeds United Concern Grows Over 21-Year-Old Winger After Just Two Minutes Under Farke: What Should They Do? Leeds United are growing concerned about Jean-Matteo Bahoya after the 21-year-old winger has made almost no impact since arriving from Eintracht Frankfurt on deadline day. The French attacker joined on loan with an option for a permanent transfer, yet Daniel Farke has given him just two minutes of action so far, according to Football Insider . Bahoya came on during the closing stages of the 0-0 draw against Crystal Palace , while he stayed on the bench against Brighton, Newcastle and Chelsea. That lack of involvement has prompted questions because Leeds brought him in with clear expectations after his impressive spell in Germany. Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that the issue appears to involve Bahoya’s work in training. Brown said it was “already a bit of a concern” that the winger wasn’t playing regularly, while suggesting Farke had yet to see enough from him during daily sessions to trust him with more minutes. That creates a difficult situation for Bahoya. Farke sees his players every day and can judge their intensity, defensive work and readiness far better than anyone watching from outside the training ground. Meanwhile, Leeds United have options in attacking areas, which makes it harder for a new arrival to force his way into the side. Leeds have reportedly kept an open mind about activating their purchase option next summer, but Football Insider says the club won’t rush that decision. At the same time, Leeds are accelerating discussions over a new contract for Farke, whose current agreement expires next summer. What should Leeds United do about Jean-Matteo Bahoya? BRIGHTON, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 05: Jean-Matteo Bahoya and Melvin Bard of Leeds United inspects the pitch before the Premier League 2026/27 match between Brighton & Hove Albion and Leeds United at American Express Stadium on September 05, 2026 in Brighton, England. (Photo by Luke Walker/Getty Images) Leeds should give Bahoya time, but they shouldn’t hand him minutes simply because the club invested in bringing him to England. His current position demands a response from the player himself. There are genuine reasons for optimism. The player has the pace, ability to carry the ball and his Bundesliga record, including a recorded top speed of 37.16 km/h. He completed the 10th-most dribbles in the German top flight last season despite playing fewer minutes than several players above him. That profile makes the lack of opportunities slightly frustrating. Bahoya has qualities that could give Farke another option in transition, particularly when Leeds need a winger who can attack space quickly. Yet those qualities mean little if he cannot meet the manager’s demands without the ball. Farke’s system requires wide players to work hard, maintain their shape and contribute defensively. A young winger arriving from Germany may need time to adjust to that intensity. However, training provides the clearest route into the team, and Bahoya now has a straightforward challenge to make himself impossible to ignore. Leeds shouldn’t write him off after a handful of weeks. Equally, they shouldn’t rush into a permanent deal before seeing meaningful evidence that he can handle Farke’s requirements. The 21-year-old has the technical qualities, but his next step has to come on the training ground. That makes the international break particularly useful. Bahoya can use those sessions to close the gap, work on his defensive traits and show Farke that those Bundesliga qualities can translate into English football. For Leeds United, that evidence matters far more than his reputation.