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Farke’s Secret Weapon Revealed: Leeds United Set to Unleash Surprise Star in Championship Finale
Daniel Farke’s Secret Weapon? The Rise of Leeds’ Most Unexpected Utility Man
Daniel Farke has made no secret of how much he values versatility in his Leeds United squad — and with a thin roster, it’s become more crucial than ever. Ethan Ampadu and Wilfried Gnonto are prime examples of this adaptable approach.
Ampadu, in particular, has been key this season. With injuries sidelining both Pascal Struijk and Max Wöber, the Welsh international’s ability to drop into central defence has been vital. With Struijk now ruled out for the remainder of the campaign, Ampadu is expected to continue in the heart of defence, offering much-needed stability, as seen in the solid display against Middlesbrough. However, a recent setback for Joe Rothwell has further thinned midfield options, exposing just how finely balanced the squad is.
Enter Isaac Schmidt — the unassuming utility man.
In a team packed with talent, Schmidt has quietly carved out a role for himself — not by locking down a specific position, but by thriving in many. In fact, the 25-year-old earned his first senior international start for Switzerland before making his full league debut for Leeds, a reflection of just how deep Farke’s squad runs.
With Junior Firpo and Jayden Bogle firmly established as the first-choice full-backs, and Sam Byram as their clear backup, Schmidt has had to remain patient. But his brief cameos throughout the season left a strong impression.
His first Leeds start came in the FA Cup against Harrogate Town back in January and again in the following round. While a league start before season’s end may be unlikely, Schmidt seems destined for more minutes — just not always in the positions you’d expect.
He’s been deployed all over the pitch: left-back, right-back, and even left-wing — the latter raising eyebrows during the Luton Town clash when he was chosen over Largie Ramazani. That decision, Farke explained, was down to a desire for Ramazani to show greater “maturity” and “reliability” — with the manager urging him to earn his place back through training.
Despite Ramazani remaining on the bench, Farke tried to show a united front, encouraging him to join in post-match celebrations at the away end. Yet actions speak louder than gestures — and it was Schmidt who got the nod again when Daniel James limped off against Middlesbrough with a hamstring injury, likely ruling him out of the Preston clash.
In just 11 appearances, Schmidt has featured across all four wide positions and held his own in each. His most influential moment came midweek when he sparked a breakaway that led to Patrick Bamford’s disallowed goal, showcasing composure, pace, and smart decision-making.
Schmidt might not be a headline-grabber, and he’s unlikely to become a regular starter. But as Leeds navigate the final stretch of their promotion chase, players like him — dependable, adaptable, and unflinching — could prove to be the difference.
Farke has quietly unlocked a wildcard in Schmidt, and his versatility might just be the hidden asset that helps Leeds get over the line.
