Phil Hay says Daniel Farke rates Leeds ace as best in his position in the Championship

Daniel Farke, the manager of Leeds United, believes Sam Byram is the greatest left-back in the Championship.

According to Phil Hay of the Athletic, Farke believes there is no one better in the division in his position than Byram when he is healthy.

Farke was the man behind Leeds’ summer pursuit of Byram, originally urging him to train at the club to help increase his fitness and find him a club.

Byram has been plagued by injury issues in recent years, but he was able to show himself at Thorp Arch by attending every training session and surviving Leeds’ pre-season friendly.

Since putting pen-to-paper on a one-year-deal, Byram has gone from strength-to-strength and is looking every bit as good as what Farke thought back in the summer.

Leeds manager Farke believes Byram is the best left-back in the Championship.
Farke has carefully managed Byram’s fitness this season, starting five of Leeds’ eight Championship games.

Byram did sustain a small injury in one of those starts against Ipswich Town, keeping him out of the 0-0 draw with Sheffield Wednesday before the international break.

Last week, before Leeds’ trip to Hull City, the 30-year-old told Farke that he would be unable to play 90 minutes three times in six days.

Farke and Byram were wise to rest him, as he returned to the starting XI with elegance against Watford, scoring Leeds’ second goal.

Leeds will not have a more reliable performer in their entire team if he can remain fit, and buying him on a free transfer is looking smarter by the week.