Daniel Farke Welcomes Ilian Gruev Back for Key Match
Daniel Farke will have Ilian Gruev back at his disposal this weekend – and he sounds genuinely pleased about it.
The midfielder has not featured since May because of a knee injury, but finally returned to action with the under-21s, getting through almost a full match.
“After this long-term injury it was important to get his first minutes in the under-21 game. He played nearly 90 minutes and it was good for his confidence and his body. He is available for the weekend,” Farke said, welcoming another senior option back into the fold.
The good news stopped there.
Harry Wilson has suffered a quad injury and is now set to miss not only club action but also Wales’ fixtures over the international break. Joe Rodon remains sidelined as well, leaving Farke without two experienced internationals at a key point in the early season.
Contract talk shut down
Off the pitch, Farke was pressed again on his own future after managing director Robbie Evans told BBC Sport last week that club and coach are “on the same page” regarding a new deal.
Farke had no appetite to fuel the story.
“No news from my side,” he replied. “I spoke at the end of last season long, detailed, open and honest about the situation. I don't want to make a weekly soap opera of it. No-one wants a manager who is always talking about his future and his contract.”
The message was clear: he wants the focus on the pitch, not on boardroom negotiations.
Calvert-Lewin hailed after England recall
One player firmly in the spotlight is Dominic Calvert-Lewin. His sharp start to the campaign has earned him a recall to the England squad, and Farke was emphatic in his praise.
“Fully deserved. A perfect start to the new season. He's scored goals and has delivered performances. He's played with a good confidence and is in a good rhythm. He definitely deserves this call-up. He's definitely one of the best strikers in this league.”
No caveats, no qualifiers – just a manager backing a striker he sees as elite at this level.
Form no longer a ‘good spell’
Farke also drew a line under the idea that his team are simply riding a hot streak. For him, this is now about sustained standards.
“It's not a coincidence any more. It's not just a good period, it's quality that we are delivering. Everyone can be proud of this and take lots of confidence.”
Talk has started to drift towards the possibility of a European push, but Farke cut that down to size with a reminder of the club’s primary target.
“The first step is always to win 40 points and to make sure we do it as fast a possible. If we do it and there are still games left, we will definitely take it – but my only aim and only focus is to make sure we win the 40 points and play another Premier League season.”
Ambition, yes. But anchored firmly in realism.
Respect for Crystal Palace test
Next up are Crystal Palace, and Farke’s respect for the Eagles was unmistakable.
“We face a really strong side. When I speak about Crystal Palace, I can't speak with more respect about them. They have done exceptionally well, especially in the last seasons winning titles. They have done good business in the summer and I think they are stronger this season than last season.”
It is the kind of assessment that underlines the scale of the task, even with his own team in confident mood.
No holiday during the break
The looming international break offers a pause in the schedule, but not a holiday. Farke outlined how he plans to use the extended gap.
“We allow ourselves a chance to recover a bit more than is possible in normal time. Then, the work continues. Just because we don't have a game for a while doesn't mean we don't train for a while. There are still players here who need my attention. Sometimes there is more time for the detail and for younger players.”
Recovery, detail, development. With Gruev back, Wilson and Rodon out, and the bar for performance rising, Farke’s next task is clear: turn this run of form from something admired into something expected.
