Why Jean-Matteo Bahoya has not yet debuted for Leeds United, as Farke urges caution

Daniel Farke says Jean-Matteo Bahoya is very close to involvement for Leeds United, but he is resisting a rush to debut the France under-21s winger, as reported by yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk.

The 21-year-old joined from Eintracht Frankfurt in a very late deadline-day move, a season-long loan with an option to buy. Leeds paid an initial €2m loan fee, with a €23m option and €5m of add-ons. The transfer was announced at 12.45am the following day.

Bahoya made the bench for the Premier League trip to Brighton at the start of the month, then for the Carabao Cup tie at Chelsea and Monday’s league game against Newcastle United. He remained unused in both latter matches.

Farke said Bahoya was seconds from a debut at Chelsea before Melvin Bard’s cramp forced a different substitution. He added that he will not risk a young player in the Premier League before they are physically, mentally and performance ready.

The head coach noted Bahoya had largely been a substitute at Frankfurt late last season and early this one, arriving short of rhythm and full fitness to start. He has, however, impressed on the training pitch and is edging closer to minutes.

Farke cautioned against immediately reshaping the attacking pecking order. He highlighted strong competition, citing the difficult call not to start Harry Wilson after his display and first assist at Chelsea, and Brenden Aaronson’s goal there plus more goals than any other midfielder and his consistent workload.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

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