Farke on 'proven' Calvert-Lewin, Bogle and Everton
- Published
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Monday's Premier League game against Everton at Elland Road (kick-off 20:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
The weekend will be spent "working" and "preparing the group for an important opener". He added: "We will spend lots of time on the training ground to prepare for it. It is beneficial for us at the minute to have more time on the training pitch, so for that reason we will be focused on our four training sessions."
A "late decision" will be made on right-back Jayden Bogle, who has been suffering with a hip flexor injury. The defender partly trained on Wednesday and will do so in full on Friday.
However, new signing Jaka Bijol is definitely unavailable as he is suspended after picking up a red card in his final Serie A match for Udinese.
Farke is thrilled to have signed Dominic Calvert-Lewin on a free transfer: "We are all delighted. As a newly-promoted side, we want to sign players that have already delivered at the top level but are still at a good age and on the way up in their career. These boxes are all ticked."
However, given "a few doubts" around Calvert-Lewin's injury record and fellow newboy Lukas Nmecha's "problems in the past", the club are not ruling out signing another goalscorer this summer.
On a "difficult test" against Everton: "They are a really good side and we are respectful of that. We know how difficult it will be to create chances and open them up. We know that from last season. They have also made some ambitious signings this summer."
On how important Elland Road will be: "We made it our fortress at Championship level. We know it will be difficult to win as many games at this level, but we have to do everything possible to make a fortress out of Elland Road again."
He described the supporters as "one of the club's biggest assets".
On whether the approach is to thrive or survive: "Our mindset in each and every game is going to be why we all started football: to win every game. You weren't thinking about the table, money, contracts or survival. You just wanted to go out, play football and be the better side."
He does feel Leeds are now in the right division: "This club belongs to the Premier League. Everyone is speaking about our potential, calling us a 'sleeping giant'. I think that's true, but if we're being really honest, the club has spent just three years in the top flight over the past 23 years."
Jack Harrison received some boos after his return from a loan period at Everton, but Farke believes says the supporters' reaction was "normal". He praised the winger's behaviour in pre-season as "top-class", already winning over the staff and players with his attitude.
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