Exclusive:'He's got to be able to' - Jean-Matteo Bahoya's Leeds United challenge outlined by Matthew Kilgallon
Jean-Matteo Bahoya’s standing at Leeds United has been assessed by an ex-Whites defender
Former Leeds United defender Matthew Kilgallon believes versatility could help Jean-Matteo Bahoya break into Daniel Farke’s side.
The winger was recruited by Leeds in the final hours of the summer transfer window, replacing Wilfried Gnonto following the Italian’s loan switch to Fiorentina.
Bahoya penned a loan deal containing a conditional buy obligation clause, generating plenty of excitement among supporters.
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He has since made just two appearances, stepping off the bench for brief cameos against Crystal Palace and Arsenal.
Farke recently launched into an impassioned monologue when questioned about the 21-year-old’s lack of action, insisting the continued line of enquiry is unhealthy.
Jean-Matteo Bahoya’s position assessed
Kilgallon, a former centre-back who represented Leeds between 2002 and 2007, told The Yorkshire Post: “When he signed, it was exciting, wasn't it? Hearing about how fast he is - catching crisp packets in the wind, I think a lot of people were saying he was that fast.
“But Farke at the minute, you can't really fault him on his decisions. He's got a style of play that he's playing. You can see that the recruitment and the players he's brought in, they have to play to his style.
“He's got this sort of mad formation that works. It was quite hard to explain, to say how they actually set up. For the lad to come in and start, he's got to be able to do different things and be able to play different positions. At the minute, he's only a young lad, sounds like he's got a career in front of him.
“Farke’s working with these lads every single day and maybe he just doesn't think he isn't quite ready yet, but I would like to see him maybe get chucked on for that last 10-15 because pace always scares defences.”
Daniel Farke on Jean-Matteo Bahoya
It appears Bahoya will have to be patient at Elland Road, with Farke’s desire to manage the Frenchman carefully now abundantly clear.
Leeds’ boss said:” I think if we make too much of a hype around a young lad like Jean-Matteo, this can't be a success in the end. At the moment, in each and every of my press conferences, I'm asked about him. Before the game, ‘can he start?’ After the game, ‘could he start? Why was it not the game for Jean-Matteo?'.
“And as much as I like him to be in the spotlight, I don't think it's healthy. It's not healthy for him. It's not healthy for my relationship with him. It's not healthy for his standing within the group.”