Cologne are interested in bringing Leeds' 26-year-old Belgium defender Sebastiaan Bornauw back to the Bundesliga, having previously played for the club from 2019-2021. (Bild - in German), external
Image source, Getty ImagesWe asked for your views on Daniel Farke changing his formation and incorporating a back three after the defeat to Manchester City.
Here are some of your comments:
Thomas: I think the system Farke stumbled upon has not only helped Leeds immensely, but it has kept him in his job. which I personally think is good news for the club, as chopping and changing managers doesn't help any team. Given time, they could mould this team into a decent squad and with a few additions further down the line.
Anthony: Farke was an outstanding manager in the Championship, guiding us through multiple crises and developing players like Summerville and Rutter. Despite not being given the attackers he was promised, he is proving himself to be a top Premier League manager as well, adopting a system the players are best suited to and making excellent tactical tweaks and substitutions. He is a far better manager than he is given credit for, and we are lucky to have him.
John: It's the stability that you notice, not just at the back, but up front, they have the ball longer, and it's not just luck and chance.
Andrew: Of course, the system could be viable long term, particularly for some, if not all, games. Eventually, teams will expect it and try to counter it. What we need is adaptability from the manager and the players, and surely that is not beyond either?
Jon: 3-5-2 has a place for now while we try to simply stay afloat in the Premier League. Use it for now and variations of it, but if we stay up for a couple of seasons, we can explore four at the back, but with higher quality defenders.
Edward: Changing formations after Manchester City deserves a lot of praise. It could have gone horribly wrong, and there would be a different conversation. I don't think it's long-term, as there are too many challenges to maintain the formation. Rather, I think Farke is developing a squad that can be confident when changing formation.
Flora Snelson
BBC Sport Journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesLeeds United have announced that a planning office report has recommended for approval the plans to develop Elland Road.
It is hoped that full approval for the proposed regeneration, which will take the capacity over 50,000 in a bid to shorten the season ticket waiting list, will be formally ratified at a plans panel meeting on Thursday, 8 January.
The club also announced that 98% of the fans and local community who responded to a consultation before the plans were finalised supported the overall proposals.
It confirmed that when the proposed work is finished, all of the away supporters will continue to be housed in the West Stand, reserving the South Stand for the home support, who the club say "create an atmosphere which is envied across the whole world".
The club have worked with the Leeds City Council Highways Department to put in place a Section 106 agreement which will improve highways around the stadium and, combined with a club-devised travel plan, will help to address matchday transport and parking issues.
Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist
Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light (kick-off 14:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
On team news, Farke says there is no chance for Sean Longstaff and also for Daniel James. There is a small chance for Lukas Nmecha to be involved.
On Nmecha, Farke said: "There is some progress. I hope I have him available at some point this week, back in team training, and if he comes through the sessions, then he could be a topic for the squad and travel with us. But he is more or less the only one out of the long-term injuries that could perhaps feature in this game."
Farke reiterated that they will not rest on their laurels after a good recent run, especially taking into consideration that one point per game could guarantee survival moving forward.
On Christmas and his squad: "We will allow ourselves also Christmas Day to have a day off. I think it's good for the families of the players and also especially for the staff."
Farke also said that he is more concerned with players being with their families. He said "it's not about drinking and eating" and says he can "trust" his players and that professionals these days "hardly drink a glass of beer".
On Dominic Calvert-Lewin: "I think he also benefits a lot from that we are capable to prepare so many situations out of open play. Last game, we were pretty effective out of set plays as well. I think he benefits from good performance from the whole team. It's always a team effort, and it's important that we keep going to bring him into good positions to assist further on, and then also up to him to keep going with the hard work. I'm a big believer that in the end, you will always get what you're willing to invest. And he has invested a lot so far, but he has to keep going."
On Ethan Ampadu: "He is a key player, one of my most important, if not the most important player. So he's playing in the heart of our game and central midfield. And especially in the heart of our game, you have to be strong. I think it's important that you have really there a really, really strong core. And Ethan is a cornerstone and a key figure for us. I think it is very important for the balance to be good against the ball, to win many duels, to be aggressive, to sense the danger, to be aware, to have the back line, but on the other hand also to initiate our attacks and to play the first passes. So he has a pretty much a key role, and he's doing fantastic in this, and I think he has grown a lot also over the last couple of years, also in terms of his personality, and he grows more and more into this leader role and is our leader."
Hear more from Farke on BBC Sounds
Follow all of Tuesday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news
Image source, Getty ImagesLeeds United's defeat to Manchester City at the end of November was the last time we saw Daniel Farke use his preferred four at the back system before making the switch to a three at the back.
If Leeds' performances in their past four games are anything to go by, the German will be in no rush to revert back to old ways any time soon.
Since the switch, the Whites have improved in lots of areas statistically and have been stronger at both ends of the pitch since the change. This is especially impressive considering the opposition; Premier League giants Liverpool and Chelsea, a Brentford side who are notoriously difficult to play when they are at home and Oliver Glasner's Crystal Palace, who have been excellent for large parts of the season.
While Farke has made some personnel tweaks in midfield and attack, his back three and wing-backs have stayed exactly the same in all four games. This has allowed his side to have a consistent and solid foundation and perhaps gives the attacking players more freedom.
Admittedly, four games is a small sample size and time will tell if this change can work long term - but Farke deserves praise for his willingness to adapt.
The eight points his side have earned in their past four games could very well be the difference between Premier League survival or another long season in the Championship.
With the transfer window looming, perhaps the acquisition of players who are comfortable in playing in this system could make it a viable long-term option.
What do you make of the new system, Leeds fans? What differences have you noticed in your team's performances?
Do you think this system has a place long-term?
Molly Whitmore
Fan writer
Image source, Getty ImagesSaturday's game at Elland Road was everything you want as a Leeds fan, intensity, confidence and real belief.
Ethan Ampadu was immense, setting the tempo from the back and leading like a proper captain, calm in possession but aggressive when it mattered. The atmosphere lifted every time he stepped in to break up play.
The free transfer signing of Dominic Calvert-Lewin already looks inspired. His movement, physicality and link-up play gave us a focal point we've missed. Even without a goal, he made defenders panic and brought others into the game. It felt like a statement performance, not just a win.
Looking ahead, Leeds feel close to something really positive, but there are still key decisions to make. Recruitment-wise, I'd like to see another creative forward brought in, someone who can play off Calvert-Lewin and share the scoring load. DCL thrives with runners, and a natural matchmaker behind him could elevate the whole attack. Out wide, we look fairly settled, so loans rather than permanent deals might make sense for squad depth.
In terms of departures, any suggestion of Jayden Bogle being mentioned as a possible move to Everton should be firmly avoided. He's become too important to our balance and energy and selling to a rival would send the wrong message. If we do sell, it should be fringe players - with younger lads going out on loan to get minutes rather than stagnating.
Goalkeeper is the one area worth debating. While there's an argument for upgrading long-term, having both Darlow and Perri gives us solid experience and competition. It's not urgent. Overall, the last month has been hugely encouraging. The spine of the team looks strong, confidence is growing and with smart, measured business rather than big upheaval, Leeds can really kick on from here.
I also read links to Raheem Sterling potentially coming in January. Who would have thought it? On paper, it sounds great. I've always believed having players who truly know this league inside and out is key to building a successful squad, something we're already seeing with Calvert-Lewin. Sterling's experience, movement, and intelligence could lift everyone around him. Is it realistic? Who knows, but it shows the ambition around the club feels different right now.
Molly Whitmore is a regular contributor on BBC Radio Leeds - find all their audio here
Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter
Image source, Getty ImagesI was at Leeds United v Brentford last week and mentioned here that they didn't look like relegation fodder to me. A 4-1 hammering of high-flying Crystal Palace this week at an ecstatic Elland Road underlined the new belief from Daniel Farke's side.
Sunderland v Leeds just after Christmas is my next BBC game. If Leeds win that one, they will be on the brink of mid-table safety, probably only needing 12 more points from 20 games to survive.
If, and I accept it is a pretty big if, they can keep Dominic Calvert-Lewin fit, they could be home and dry with a month to spare, especially with that phenomenal home support.
That didn't look likely a month ago.
Sign up to read more from Pat Nevin in his Football Extra newsletter
Image source, Getty ImagesThe latest episode of Don't Go To Bed Just Yet had the regulars discussing how Dominic Calvert-Lewin put on an incredible performance in the win over Crystal Palace despite receiving a knock to his head.
Leeds beat the Eagles 4-1 at Elland Road, with Calvert-Lewin continuing his fine form.
However when the score was 0-0, the forward had a clash with Crystal Palace's Marc Guéhi.
"When he crashed into Guéhi, I thought that Leeds' season was in the balance," said BBC Radio Leeds Jonny Buchan. "But he got up and scored two goals."
Manager Daniel Farke was seen to be telling replacements to warm up quickly with there being concerns regarding a concussion for Calvert-Lewin.
Simon Rix - bass player for the Kaiser Chiefs - told the podcast Farke must have "magic hands" given how Calvert-Lewin and other frequently injured players are currently coping.
BBC Radio Leeds' Adam Pope said: "I don't think are any other forwards in that role that are like him, he is always in between the penalty spot and goal line but still on side. He is a goalhanger."
Listen to the full episode here
Explore all Leeds United content on BBC Sounds
Josh Lobley
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, OptaDominic Calvert-Lewin's goal map in the Premier League makes for quite remarkable viewing with the position of all seven of his goals this season coming in an almost perfectly straight line.
In an era where many number nines are expected to be complete footballers, the 28-year-old is thriving as a "poacher" in Daniel Farke's side.
Calvert-Lewin's form and goal map is reminiscent of his most prolific season to date when he netted 16 league goals at Everton under Carlo Ancelotti in the 2020-21 season.
Calvert-Lewin has since spoken highly of his time under the Italian manager.
"The first thing he said to me was 'stay in between the 18-yard box'," Calvert-Lewin told the High Performance podcast in June.
"This was the opposite of what I'd been doing. When you're young, you have to run everywhere because you need to do all of the 'rubbish' bits better.
"He came in and said 'I don't want you running out there because you aren't going to score goals out there' - that was the only direct information he gave me.
"I thought it was great, I was able to focus on scoring goals instead of running the channels and being so far from goal."
After scoring just one goal in his first 10 Premier League games as a Leeds player, Calvert-Lewin has now netted six in his past five and shows no signs of slowing down.
The former England international could just be going through a purple patch, or perhaps Leeds boss Farke is now allowing him to play to his strengths - just like Ancelotti did five years ago.
The latest episode of the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast has just landed from BBC Radio Leeds.
They discuss Leeds United overpowering Crystal Palace 4-1 at Elland Road to head into Christmas on a four-match unbeaten run.
There's also debate on whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin will be on the plane to the World Cup.
Listen to the full episode here
Explore all Leeds United content on BBC Sounds
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We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's Premier League game between Leeds United and Crystal Palace.
Here are some of your comments:
Leeds fans
Thomas: This was Leeds' most authoritative win of the season, against a Palace team that has a fantastic away record this season including not letting many goals in.
Robert: Great to see Calvert-Lewin's efforts rewarded with goals. He was working so hard before his recent scoring run. Ampadu was fantastic. He was everywhere. Rodon was a rock. Should have had a first half penalty too - ridiculous that was missed. Superb win.
Ewan: We're not the most technically gifted team but we're starting to play more cleverly and utilise our strengths. Long throw and balls into the box were causing chaos for Palace all evening. DCL could drag us out of a relegation battle this year. Merry Christmas Leeds fans!
Palace fans
Steve: Palace's worst display of the season. Very disappointed to concede goals to set pieces. It suggests poor planning, and an inability to adapt during the game. Second to the ball in every area, especially in the box. Perhaps Palace have been punching above their weight and were found out by a side they should be looking to beat. Reinforcements are vital in the January window.
Dave: That was definitely one to forget! Palace couldn't cope with the physicality and the aerial prowess that Leeds had. Missing energy, and a few key players. Shows the lack of depth in the squad. Players looked physically and mentally tired. Credit to Leeds who deserved the win.
Sean: Glasner should've played his strongest 11 on Thursday and saved us now having to play two extra Conference games because regardless of who he played against Leeds, the outcome would've still been the same.
Wayne Rooney discusses whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin could force his way into World Cup contention and recalls what it was like playing alongside him at Everton: "I think purely, not because of his ability as a player, but purely because of his injury record, it was very difficult for anyone to take that chance and take up a spot and spend the money on him.
"If he continues this then there's no reason why he shouldn't be talked about or even get an opportunity to go to the World Cup. Purely because of the lack of forwards that England have got."
Watch The Wayne Rooney Show on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds
Pundits Joe Hart and Shay Given join host Kelly Cates to bring you the action and talking points from Saturday's Premier League fixtures.
And listen back to full match commentaries on BBC Sounds:
Leeds boss Daniel Farke speaking to BBC Sport after the 4-1 win against Crystal Palace: "A great night for us, to see the scoreline and most importantly the three points. The best away team in the Premier League and we knew we needed a special plan and the lads have delivered, top class."
On making tactical changes since the Manchester City match: "We had a really good start to the season but we were many games unlucky not to get results from the performance.
"At this level we have to be flexible, we know we don't have the best individual quality, so sometimes you have to mirror the opposition and change formation within the game. It's complex when you don't have the best individual quality then you need to find a plan and the lads are doing really well. We are in a good position, but with 19 points we won't achieve our goal, we have to keep going."
On Dominic Calvert-Lewin: "He is in great form, I spoke highly about him and we are blessed and fortunate that we have him.
"He has shown this during his career when he is fit but to label him a top class player for Leeds United, he doesn't have to show this for a couple of weeks or months, he has to show it over the whole course of the season. Right now it is too soon, he has to keep going."
On Ethan Ampadu: "He has developed into a leader and a top player. One of our key players, if not the most important player. He is my captain. He is in the heart of the game, he is fantastic."
Did you know?
Dominic Calvert-Lewin is the first Leeds player to score in five successive Premier League appearances since Mark Viduka in August 2003.
Adwaidh Rajan
BBC Sport journalist
Image source, Getty ImagesDaniel Farke's switch to a 3-5-2 formation continued to pay dividends for Leeds United as they posted a dominant 4-1 victory against Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Saturday.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin once again proved to be the gamechanger as he scored a first-half double to pull the hosts ahead at Elland Road before goals from captain Ethan Ampadu and Anton Stach extended their unbeaten run to four games.
The victory moved them into 16th in the table where they are six points clear of 18th-placed West Ham, who were beaten by Manchester City earlier in the day.
It is quite a turnaround for Farke's side who were reeling with five defeats from six matches after losing to Aston Villa at the end of last month.
But their resurgence can be traced back to the game that followed that loss - a narrow 3-2 defeat by Manchester City when Farke sacrificed his possession-based 4-3-3 system for a counter-attacking style.
And one of the biggest beneficiaries of that change in system has been Calvert-Lewin, who has rediscovered his instincts in the opposition box and now has six goals in five games and seven overall for the season.
He has now scored against City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Brentford and now Palace to emulate the likes of Mark Viduka, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Rod Wallace who previously scored in five consecutive Premier League fixtures for the club.
And if Leeds and Calvert-Lewin can continue creating problems for their opponents like they did to Palace, they will be welcoming the new year with a renewed sense of optimism.
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Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.
Have your say on Leeds' performance
What did you make of Palace's display?
Come back on Monday for a selection of your replies
Image source, Getty ImagesLeeds United manager Daniel Farke makes just one change to the side that held Brentford to a 1-1 draw last weekend.
Brenden Aaronson replaces Ao Tanaka among the starters as Dominic Calvert-Lewin leads the line looking to score in a fifth successive Premier League game.
Leeds United XI: Perri, Bogle, Gudmundsson, Ampadu, Struijk, Rodon, Calvert-Lewin, Aaronson, Bijol, Stach, Okafor.
Subs: Darlow, Piroe, Harrison, Tanaka, Bornauw, Justin, Byram, Gnonto, Gruev.
Oliver Glasner makes 11 changes from the 2-2 draw against KuPS only 48 hours ago as the Crystal Palace manager reverts to his first-choice starting line-up.
However, injured Daichi Kamada and Ismaïla Sarr, who is at Afcon with Senegal, miss out from the 3-0 defeat by Manchester City last Sunday as Will Hughes and Eddie Nketiah replace them.
Crystal Palace XI: Henderson, Guehi, Lacroix, Richards, Mitchell, Hughes, Wharton, Clyne, Pino, Nketiah, Mateta.
Subs: Benitez, Lerma, Uche, Esse, Canvot, Sosa, Rodney, Devenny, Drakes-Thomas.
Image source, Getty Images
There are eight games in the Premier League on Saturday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.
Newcastle v Chelsea (12:30)
Bournemouth v Burnley
Brighton v Sunderland - listen on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra
Manchester City v West Ham - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Wolves v Brentford
Tottenham v Liverpool (17:30) - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live
Everton v Arsenal (20:00)
Leeds v Crystal Palace (20:00)
Kick-off times 15:00 GMT unless stated
Follow all of the action and reaction here
You can also listen to today's 5 Live Premier League commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Man City v West Ham" or "ask BBC Sounds to play Tottenham v Liverpool", for instance.
Find out more about how to listen to Premier League football on BBC Sounds
If Leeds United striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin had hit this run of form a little bit earlier, he would have been my vote for Sports Personality of the Year.
Calvert-Lewin has scored four goals in four games and his leap to score against Brentford last week was incredible.
Fair play to Leeds boss Daniel Farke too. I've said it before, but I am delighted for him.
He was written off a few weeks ago as not being able to manage in the Premier League and it felt as if some people were waiting for him to be sacked. He has proved them all wrong.
Farke's side are always a handful at home and will relish the challenge of getting another good result on Saturday, but I can see this being a very close contest.
Crystal Palace are the counter-attack kings and they are especially effective away from home - they have won their past three matches on the road and have the best away record in the Premier League this season with five wins, a draw and only two defeats from eight games so far.
So, do I go with the energy of Leeds or back streetwise Palace?
I am tempted to go with Oliver Glasner's side to nick it but they have got a Europa Conference League game to contend with on Thursday, which has stretched them in the past.
They are going to miss Ismaila Sarr, too, who has gone to Afcon with Senegal, so on that basis I am going for another draw instead.
Sutton's prediction: 1-1
Henry Cowling
BBC Sport journalist
Leeds will be hoping to continue an encouraging run of three games without defeat when they welcome Crystal Palace to Elland Road on Saturday. BBC Sport looks at some of the key themes going into the match.
Leeds looking more potent
Leeds have enjoyed an improvement in attacking output since Daniel Farke changed his system to a 3-5-2 for the second half of their narrow loss to Manchester City. They have scored nine goals in 315 minutes since that point, with striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the scoresheet in all four games.
Despite scoring just once last time out against Brentford, Leeds recorded an impressive 18 shots and racked up an xG of 1.39. It continues a positive trend in their numbers over the past three and a half games.
They have had 54 shots in that time, averaging 13.5 per game - an improvement on the average of 11.4 per game previously. They are also creating better quality chances.
Palace's post-Europe blues
Crystal Palace could not halt a winless home run lasting over a decade against Manchester City last weekend, losing 3-0 to Pep Guardiola's side. However, the result could have been very different if Palace had taken their chances. Oliver Glasner's side recorded an xG of 2.08 compared to City's 1.19, and had 21 more touches in the opposition box than the visitors.
It is the sixth time out of seven so far this season that Palace have failed to win a Premier League game directly after a Conference League match, drawing two and losing four. They have failed to win all five of their league games that have come after a league phase match in the Conference League.
The Eagles come into this game off the back of another European fixture – they drew with Finnish champions KuPS with a heavily rotated team on Thursday night.
That was the first of eight matches in 23 days for Palace's thinly stretched squad, and their failure to win means they will have a two-legged Conference League play-off to navigate in February.
The latest episode of the Don't Go To Bed Just Yet podcast has just landed - and it is a "non-relegation special".
BBC Radio Leeds' Jonny Buchan and Adam Pope went down to The Brudenell Social Club in Leeds with Kaiser Chiefs bassist Simon Rix to record in front of a live audience.
In the first part, the trio were joined by former Leeds United manager Simon Grayson to discuss the club's current position in the Premier League, his managerial spell at Elland Road, striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Daniel Farke's long-term future, and the January transfer window.
You can watch part one below...
In the second part, the trio were joined by 1992 First Division title-winner Jon Newsome and The Athletic's Beren Cross to take questions from the audience of Leeds United fans.
Listen to part two of the podcast on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesLeeds United defender Jaka Bijol hopes the team's change of shape will "make it harder for their opponents" as he reflects on improved recent performances.
On Saturday, 17th-placed Leeds welcome Crystal Palace to Elland Road with the Eagles in fifth but facing three games in six days due to their Conference League and Carabao Cup commitments.
Bijol is encouraged by good results against Chelsea and Liverpool and feels that since changing formation, Leeds are now a different proposition.
"It's one of those things when it works better than something else," he told BBC Radio Leeds.
"Having one formation makes it easier for our opponents, so now it makes it harder for everyone to prepare for us."
After coming from behind to save a point at Brentford last Sunday, Bijol believes Leeds will not be intimidated by their visitors, despite Palace currently sitting fifth in the table.
"As per any Premier League team they have a big squad and they are ready to change it up," Bijol said. "Everyone at that level are top players that can come on and make a difference.
"I am sure they will be ready for Saturday night to come and perform but I am sure we will 100% give our all.
"We know we are able to score and one goal doesn't throw us off."
