Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has been effusive in his praise for Joe Rothwell, who has made a strong impact since joining on loan from Bournemouth. Stepping into the starting lineup after injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev, Rothwell has quickly found his rhythm in Leeds’ midfield, forming an effective partnership with Ao Tanaka.
Rothwell’s recent performances against Sunderland and Sheffield United have impressed, and his role in creating Leeds’ first set-piece goal since February—delivering a corner that led to Pascal Struijk’s goal—highlights his influence. Farke acknowledged the positive contribution, while emphasizing the potential for further improvement.
“Not every set-piece delivery was spot on, but in general, he’s brought us something different,” said Farke. “He’s a different player, and we know what he’s capable of in terms of going forward and playing the second-last or even the last pass.”
Farke also noted that while Rothwell has the ability to be a goal threat from set-pieces, he believes the midfielder has yet to fully showcase this aspect of his game. “He hasn’t shown this too much yet, but he’s had a good few strikes, and I’m hopeful he can chip in with some goals and assists. Thank God he already has chipped in with a good assist.”
The addition of Rothwell and Tanaka has given Leeds a more attack-minded approach in midfield, offering a new dynamic compared to the Ampadu-Gruev pairing. Farke praised Rothwell’s ability to enhance Leeds’ attacking fluency, stating, “When he’s on his game, it’s a joy to watch because he can make your game even more fluent than perhaps any other player in this position.”
While Farke appreciates Rothwell’s current form, he is committed to pushing the midfielder to continue improving, particularly in refining his passing and defensive contributions. With Rothwell’s growing influence, Leeds will look to build on their positive momentum as they prepare for their upcoming match against Watford.
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