Jaka Bijol breaks silence with scathing dig at Daniel Farke amid growing frustration over lack of game time at Leeds United
Leeds United defender Jaka Bijol has finally spoken out about his situation at Elland Road — and his comments suggest growing tension between him and manager Daniel Farke over a lack of playing time this season.
The Slovenian international, who arrived from Udinese during the summer transfer window, was tipped to become a key figure in Leeds’ defence. However, things haven’t gone according to plan for the 26-year-old, who has struggled to earn regular minutes under Farke despite impressing in training.
In a recent interview with a Slovenian outlet, Bijol didn’t hold back when asked about his limited involvement in the team.
“I came here to play, to fight for Leeds, not to watch from the sidelines,” Bijol said. “I’ve given everything in training but I keep getting passed over. If the manager can’t see what I bring, then he owes me the honesty. I didn’t move countries to warm a bench — I deserve a chance.”
The blunt remarks highlight a growing sense of frustration from a player who was expected to strengthen the club’s defensive options. Bijol has made just a handful of appearances this season, often finding himself behind the likes of Joe Rodon and Pascal Struijk in the pecking order.
Sources close to the squad claim that Bijol has been “professional but disappointed” with the current situation, and that he is eager to prove himself if given a consistent run of games.
Daniel Farke, meanwhile, has previously defended his rotation policy, insisting that competition for places remains high and that selection decisions are always based on tactical needs and form.
“Every player wants to play, and I understand that,” Farke said last month. “But we pick the team we believe can win each match. Jaka is a quality player and his time will come.”
Despite those assurances, Bijol’s recent outburst has sparked debate among Leeds fans, many of whom believe he deserves a chance to show his quality.
Leeds United are currently battling to find consistency in their performances, and Bijol’s strong words may just force Farke into a difficult decision in the coming weeks. Whether this situation leads to more playing time — or a move away in January — remains to be seen.
