Josuha Guilavogui’s Time at Leeds United Could Be Over After FA Cup Disappointment
Leeds United’s hopes of an FA Cup run came to an abrupt end with a frustrating 2-0 defeat at home to Millwall on Saturday (8 February), and for veteran midfielder Josuha Guilavogui, the match may have marked the end of his time as a serious playing option under Daniel Farke.
The 34-year-old was handed a rare start in the cup tie, one of ten changes made by Farke, as Leeds rotated their squad amid a packed Championship schedule. However, Guilavogui struggled to make a positive impact, and his performance raised further doubts about his future at Elland Road. With his contract set to expire in the summer and his opportunities in the league already limited, it’s now highly likely that he will not start another game for Leeds this season.
A Rare Start, But a Forgettable Performance
Since arriving at Leeds as a free agent after leaving Mainz, Guilavogui has been used sparingly by Farke, featuring 13 times in the Championship but exclusively as a substitute. His only two starts for the club have come in the FA Cup—first in the 1-0 win over Harrogate Town in January and now in the defeat to Millwall.
Unfortunately for the Frenchman, his latest opportunity to impress did not go to plan. Leeds were second-best throughout the match, and Guilavogui was part of a midfield that failed to assert control over proceedings. He won just one of his five attempted ground duels, picked up a yellow card, and was substituted after 69 minutes—a clear indication that Farke was not satisfied with his contribution.
Given that Farke has never started him in the league, and the only times he has been trusted to do so were in rotated FA Cup lineups, this latest performance all but confirms that the former Wolfsburg star is not viewed as a key part of Leeds’ squad.
Too Far Down the Pecking Order
Leeds have built a strong midfield unit this season, and Guilavogui has simply not done enough to push himself into contention. Ethan Ampadu, Ilia Gruev, Ao Tanaka, and Joe Rothwell are all ahead of him in the pecking order, and even with injuries or squad rotation, Farke has consistently opted to use Guilavogui only in limited roles.
His experience and past pedigree—having played in the Bundesliga for over a decade and earned seven caps for France—made him an intriguing signing, but at 34, he appears to lack the mobility and dynamism needed to thrive in Leeds’ high-intensity system. His performances have been solid but unspectacular, and at a club pushing for promotion, that is simply not enough.
At this stage of the season, every game is crucial, and Leeds cannot afford to carry players who do not significantly impact matches. With the Whites in a tense battle for automatic promotion back to the Premier League, Farke is likely to rely on his trusted core of midfielders rather than experimenting with someone who has struggled to break into the lineup all season.
More of a Leader Than a Player
While Guilavogui’s performances on the pitch have been underwhelming, his leadership qualities have made an impression behind the scenes.
Back in November, Farke revealed that Guilavogui’s pre-match speech to his teammates helped inspire Leeds’ dramatic 4-3 victory over Swansea. His influence within the dressing room has been praised by the coaching staff and players alike, and he has also connected with the supporters through his passionate messages after important victories.
After Leeds’ 3-1 win over Middlesbrough in December, he posted a heartfelt message to the fans, further cementing his status as a respected figure in the squad.
However, while leadership and experience are valuable assets, they can only take a player so far. At this stage of the season, Leeds need impact on the pitch, not just in the dressing room, and it has become clear that Guilavogui is no longer able to provide that in a meaningful way.
A Likely Summer Departure
With his contract set to expire in June, Guilavogui’s future at Leeds appears bleak. Even if the club remains in the Championship next season, Farke is likely to refresh his squad with younger, more dynamic midfielders. If Leeds achieve their goal of promotion to the Premier League, then there is almost no chance that Guilavogui will be kept on.
At this point, his role has been reduced to that of a backup and a motivator, but it is unlikely Leeds will continue to dedicate a squad place to him beyond this season. His experience has been useful in certain moments, but football is ultimately a results-driven business, and the reality is that Guilavogui has not done enough on the pitch to warrant an extended stay at Elland Road.
A Disappointing End to His Leeds Career?
If the Millwall defeat was indeed Guilavogui’s final start for Leeds, it was a frustrating and underwhelming way for his time at the club to fade out. While he arrived with a strong reputation from his days in Germany and briefly showed glimpses of his leadership qualities, he has ultimately failed to make the kind of impact that Leeds would have hoped for.
His performance against Millwall reinforced why Farke has kept him on the bench for most of the season, and with crucial Championship fixtures ahead, it is unlikely that he will be handed another opportunity in the starting XI.
If this is the end for him at Leeds, he will be remembered more for his influence off the pitch than for anything he contributed on it. While that is not the worst legacy to leave behind, it is certainly not the one he would have wanted when he first arrived at the club.