Godwin ObajeLeeds United Exit Looms for Isaac Schmidt Unless Farke Delivers Key Pre-Season Promise
Isaac Schmidt’s time at Leeds United could be cut short unless manager Daniel Farke offers a clear pathway to regular football during pre-season.
Signed on deadline day for £4.5million, the Swiss full-back arrived with high expectations after helping FC St Gallen qualify for European competition. However, Schmidt has found minutes hard to come by at Elland Road, with his limited appearances raising concerns over his future at the club.
Despite his versatility and attacking pedigree, the 24-year-old was afforded just 251 minutes of action last season. That figure is strikingly low compared to the 524 minutes he managed in just half a season with St Gallen before moving to West Yorkshire. Even more telling, he saw more playing time for the Swiss national team in March—92 minutes—than in the Championship—just 71 minutes.
The lack of involvement has led Schmidt’s agent, Baykal Bellusci, to cast doubt over the player’s future if no assurances are made ahead of the new season.
“Isaac played as a left-back for a long time, and we discussed with the club that there was a larger market for the right-back position,” Bellusci told Blick. “The decision to switch Isaac to the right led to the transfer and his call-up to the national team. He has developed, matured as a player, and proven himself with the national team. In a World Cup year, the top priority shouldn’t be to focus on finances. Instead, it’s all about one thing: Where can I play the most games to prove myself? I’m convinced we’ll find a very good solution for him this summer.”
With the 2026 World Cup looming, Schmidt is understandably prioritising regular football—something he has yet to find at Leeds.
Daniel Farke’s reluctance to rotate last season could be forgiven in a promotion-chasing campaign, but it left fringe players like Schmidt on the periphery. Jayden Bogle, a consistent performer at right-back, nailed down a starting place, while Sam Byram provided reliable cover. Yet neither offered the same offensive threat Schmidt had shown in Switzerland.
Now, pre-season presents Farke with a critical opportunity. Following the departure of Junior Firpo and the arrival of Gabriel Gudmundsson, Leeds are currently operating with four senior full-backs. Letting Schmidt depart could force the club into further recruitment in a position that already needs depth.
Crucially, Schmidt’s adaptability gives Leeds flexibility—capable of operating on either flank, pushing forward as a wing-back, or even playing in wide midfield roles. His limited sample of performances at Leeds showed flashes of the attacking output the club once sought when signing him.
If Farke wants to retain that talent, he must demonstrate a clear plan this summer.
Ultimately, the decision may hinge on what Schmidt sees in the coming weeks. A pre-season without opportunity could pave the way for his departure, while meaningful involvement could help revive his Leeds career just in time for the biggest stage in world football.
Godwin Obaje
