Since arriving at Elland Road this summer for a £12 million fee, Sean Longstaff’s tenure at Leeds United has been a tale of two halves. Initially, the former Newcastle United midfielder hit the ground running, quickly becoming a cornerstone of Daniel Farke’s tactical setup. His integration was seamless, evidenced by the fact that he was selected to start in 10 of the club’s first 12 Premier League fixtures, proving he had earned the immediate and total confidence of his manager.
However, this momentum was abruptly halted in late November when a significant injury sidelined him. Longstaff was forced to watch from the treatment room as the team moved into the frantic festive period without him. By the time he was cleared to return in the New Year, the landscape of the squad had shifted. Regaining his spot in the starting eleven was always going to be a challenge, but recent events suggest that his path back to a regular role is becoming increasingly steep and arduous.
A Rusty Return Against Birmingham
The midfielder’s performance in Sunday’s FA Cup clash against Birmingham City served as a microcosm of his current struggles. While he managed to keep his cool to slot home the decisive winning penalty, his contribution during open play left much to be desired. Leeds found it difficult to dictate the tempo against their Championship opponents, and it was glaringly obvious that Longstaff was lacking match sharpness after his long layoff.
His display was characterized by a visible rustiness that did little to convince Farke that he is ready for the rigors of the Premier League. Unfortunately for Longstaff, his injury coincided with a period where Leeds actually found their stride. During his absence, the team went on a seven-game unbeaten run, and Farke now appears more inclined to trust the players who spearheaded that successful streak—specifically Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev, who have both excelled in recent weeks.
A Tough Road Ahead
Longstaff now finds himself in a difficult “catch-22” situation: he needs consistent minutes on the pitch to rediscover his peak form, but with the threat of relegation still looming, Farke cannot afford the luxury of playing someone who isn’t at 100%. The manager is unlikely to gamble on Longstaff’s fitness when his current midfield options are performing so reliably. Consequently, it appears the midfielder is destined for a peripheral role, largely restricted to cameos off the bench for the remainder of the campaign.
The upcoming FA Cup fifth-round tie against Norwich City might have looked like the perfect opportunity for fringe players to prove their worth, but that door may already be closing. Because Leeds struggled to get past Birmingham, Farke might be tempted to field his strongest possible lineup against the Canaries to ensure progress. This means that Longstaff, alongside teammates like Ao Tanaka and Wilfried Gnonto, could find themselves stuck on the bench once again as the manager prioritizes results over squad rotation.
