According to Graham Smyth, Manor Solomon’s escalating injury issues are already raising concerns at Leeds United.
The Yorkshire Evening Post journalist replied on the Inside Elland Road podcast on September 26th, after Daniel Farke ruled the Tottenham loanee out of the weekend’s game against Coventry City, to suggest that concerns about his injury record upon arriving have already been addressed.
The Israeli has made two appearances for the Whites after missing almost the entire season at Spurs due to a knee injury, which he also suffered the previous year at Fulham.
Smyth stated (30m 35s): “Manor Solomon, whose back issue has translated into a hamstring problem, there’s already a little alarm going off with Manor Solomon, isn’t there?”
“He’s already missing games due to injuries, and he’s coming off a long-term one, so that’s less than ideal at any time, but especially this early in the season.
“When it was flagged by all and sundry, you don’t want him to become a luxury signing who dips in and out and shows his quality, you want him to be someone who dominates this league consistently.”
Daniel Farke is right to be furious over Leeds United transfers.
Farke was dissatisfied with the failure to directly replace Georginio Rutter at number 10 before the transfer deadline following the Frenchman’s departure to Brighton [Square Ball, 2 September].
The apparent belief was that adding Solomon alongside Largie Ramazani late in the transfer window would assist fill the central attacking midfield role by committee.
That may be fine if he is available, but if injury difficulties continue to arise on a regular basis, the manager’s displeasure will undoubtedly grow.
At the same time, the 25-year-old’s fitness record helped Leeds United sign him in the first place, and Brenden Aaronson’s return from loan at Union Berlin has been pleasantly positive [Square Ball, 2 September].
Although last week’s triumph against Cardiff alleviated some of the concerns raised by Burnley’s setback, a run of positive wins and stronger performances is required before it feels like everything is on track this season.
Losing players to injury early in the season will not help to calm things down after a transfer window in which Angus Kinnear admitted there were tensions with the manager [Square Ball, 12 September], especially with a fanbase that is well aware of the stakes this season after missing out on an immediate return to the Premier League.
But Ramazani scored a wonderful goal last week, and if he can build on that as the recipient of Solomon’s XI space, there may be a silver lining.
