Leeds Round-Up, Thursday 12th November: Trafford Backed to Become England's Number One as Bijol Frustration Emerges

Thursday 12 November 2026 · 21:01 UK time

James Trafford has been told he's well on course to becoming one of the best goalkeepers in the world under Daniel Farke's guidance, with suggestions he could even usurp Jordan Pickford as England's first choice (TeamTalk). That view was echoed by Alan Shearer, who has backed Trafford to become the nation's number one (LeedsLive).

James Justin has been speaking about his future at Leeds, touching on his contract situation under Farke, his England ambitions, and the noise surrounding his £8m move from Leicester City, as well as giving his thoughts on new signing Tarik Muharemovic (LeedsLive). Muharemovic himself has been discussing the leadership role he's quickly taken on in the squad since arriving, saying he's already making an instant impact (Yorkshire Evening Post).

There's been plenty of praise for the full-back areas too. A former Leeds man with over 200 appearances for the club has given his verdict on Melvin Bard, saying the left-back was excellent when he came in for Gabriel Gudmundsson against Tottenham (Yorkshire Evening Post). That win over Spurs, which finished 1-0 to Leeds, has been the big talking point of the week. Harry Wilson, meanwhile, has identified a fellow squad member as his "key minutes rival" at Leeds while backing him to become a serious fan favourite (Yorkshire Evening Post), and separately says he's eyeing a familiar trick from his Wales setup to help rediscover his Leeds form, citing a Fulham example, during the international break where he's one of five Leeds players away with Craig Bellamy's squad (Yorkshire Evening Post).

Not all the news is positive in defence - Jaka Bijol is said to be unhappy at his reduced role under Farke this season, with reports suggesting he's frustrated but determined to change his manager's mind, and a decision on a possible January sale is said to have been reached (TeamTalk). There's also an injury update on Joe Rodon, who has explained a possible cause behind a hamstring issue, having only just returned from 10 weeks out of action (Yorkshire Evening Post).

Elsewhere, Wilfried Gnonto has explained why he "needed to return to Italy" despite enjoying a special moment at Leeds, with the winger - who started just four Premier League games last season - still under contract at Elland Road until 2028 (LeedsLive). LeedsLive also took a look at which academy star could be next to break through into the first team, assessing three contenders (LeedsLive).

On the business side, a Leeds player has spoken of a "catalyst" for a new Premier League push, with a £200m reminder and a personal declaration attached, as Leeds sit ninth in the table during the international break (Yorkshire Evening Post). Fans also had the chance to put questions on Farke's contract, the Calvert-Lewin deal and the season so far to LeedsLive's reporter in a live Q&A (LeedsLive).

Away from the men's first team, Leeds United have named Nick Birchall as the new head of women's football (LeedsUnited.com). The Official site also rounded up which Leeds players have impressed so far in Fantasy Premier League this season (LeedsUnited.com).

Finally, elsewhere in the Premier League, two of Leeds' rivals have both sacked their managers this week - the first a first sacking of the season with a big name reportedly lined up as replacement (Yorkshire Evening Post), and the second a short-lived reign ending in a second managerial departure within hours (Yorkshire Evening Post). Leeds' next game comes away at Chelsea on Saturday 21 November, before a home clash with Coventry on 28 November.

This round-up is written with the help of AI, using only the day's headlines from the publishers credited above. Each point links to the original report — tap the source name to read it in full.