Jack Harrison stepped onto the pitch and into the storm. As the announcer in Stockholm read out his name over the tannoy, the returning winger, a member of the fabled 2020 promotion side, was met with a wall of boos from the travelling Leeds fans.
On the day Daniel Farke confirmed Patrick Bamford wasn’t in his plans for the Premier League, the Leeds boss then made a point of insisting Harrison had the chance to win back the fans, citing the examples of team-mates Brenden Aaronson and Wilfried Gnonto who had been strongly linked with moves away in the past.
It was the first public indication that what had seemed unthinkable entering the summer was now on the cards – that Harrison could stay at Leeds and be a major part of their bid to stay up.
When the 28-year-old came off the bench in front of more than 50,000 Leeds fans in Dublin on Saturday, the tide had begun to turn. Harrison was booed again but this time, some cheered whenever he got the ball to drown out the jeers. And as Harrison walked around the ground after the final whistle and clapped the fans, he received some appreciation back.
It’s been some time coming, ever since he was accused of jumping a sinking ship in the summer of 2023, activating a clause in his contract that allowed him to leave on loan to Everton when Leeds were relegated – just a few months after signing a five-year deal and declaring: ‘I’m looking to make history here’.
History, of a kind, has certainly been made – but now Harrison is looking to rewrite it.
Jack Harrison (38) applauds the Leeds fans in Dublin after Saturday’s friendly against AC Milan
Harrison drew Leeds fans’ ire by joining Everton in 2023 just after signing a new five-year deal
‘It’s still up to Jack to win everyone over – to show commitment, to show desire and be brave and this is the best way,’ said Farke. ‘He has presented himself within our group as a top character and he has all the chances to win our supporters back.
‘You could feel he’s won a few back already because after the boos, others were cheering. Jack can prove he can play an important role for us in the upcoming season.’
And here we are. It’s a week until Leeds host Everton in their opening game and Harrison is still a part of their Premier League plans – but why, and how did he fight his way back to this point?
The first answer is that, whatever else has happened in the last two years, he is a proven option, in a position where Leeds are lacking depth. Although Harrison is unlikely to make the starting line-up to begin the season, with Dan James ahead of him on the right and Gnonto on the left, any promoted side will tell you quantity and quality are needed to survive. Largie Ramazani and Aaronson are other wide options, but will not be enough.
Leeds are still pushing in the market, particularly for a left winger. They went hard for Brazilian forward Paixao, and thought they had him, but then they were let down and he ended up at Marseille.
Leicester’s Bilal El Khannouss, Liverpool youngster Ben Doak and Strasbourg’s Dilane Bakwa are all on their list, but Leeds have yet to submit a formal bid for any of them. Nottingham Forest are also in for Bakwa and have had a bid rejected, whereas Newcastle are in for El Khannouss, so Leeds will need to get their skates on. Farke, however, is very particular about signings and would rather wait for the right name than rush someone in before the season begins.
Crucially, Harrison has what most of the Leeds squad lacks in terms of Premier League experience. Only 12 Premier League outfield players have more appearances than Harrison’s 170 across the last five seasons.
During his time with Leeds in the Premier League from 2020 to 2023, he was consistently up there when it came to statistics such as chances created, passes played into the box, dribbles and possession won in the final third. He scored at Anfield on the opening day of their first season back in the top flight, and netted a stoppage-time winner at Brentford on the final day in 2022 as Leeds secured survival.
Leeds fans’ reaction to Harrison was less angry on Saturday in Dublin against AC Milan
Those numbers dwindled on Merseyside – albeit in a different role – but at Everton, Sean Dyche admired him for his pressing and hard work. Though the lack of end product proved pivotal with just four goals and three assists across two seasons.
For all the animosity between him and sections of the fanbase, Harrison is a popular member at Thorp Arch, known for a top-class attitude and professionalism about his ways.
He credits Marcelo Bielsa for that work ethic. ‘Working with him made me the player I am today. Even on a day off, I’ll have in the back of my mind that I need to do something today,’ he said in 2023.
Before returning to Leeds for pre-season, Harrison spent time in Miami working on his fitness. Many recall him putting everything on the line during his last months at the club in 2023, when he played through a hip injury to try to keep Leeds up.
‘I had to get nails in over the summer to fix it but I wanted to push myself to the limit to help Leeds. Whatever the fans say, I have no regrets,’ Harrison revealed later.
Moving to Everton was a case of a player wanting to play in the top flight – even if it upset a fanbase that accused him of desertion. Yet perhaps the fundamental question is what happens once Leeds bring in more attacking signings, as expected. And if an offer comes in, does Harrison want to stay?
Leeds haven’t highlighted his return across social media, while he chose the number 38 shirt because three plus eight adds up to 11, which was his former Leeds number but now belongs to Aaronson.
He took part in Leeds’ Premier League media day last week but Harrison hasn’t done an interview this summer nor highlighted the fact that he’s back at Leeds on his own social media. Only last week did he remove Everton from his Instagram page.
Harrison was a part of the fabled 2020 promotion side and played through pain in 2023 to try to keep Leeds up
Harrison celebrates scoring the goal that kept Leeds up in 2022
Harrison expected the boos – and while no player wants that, he is determined to make it work at Leeds, believing that performing on the pitch is crucial. And, most important of all, he has the manager’s support.
Leeds are yet to receive an offer but if a deal makes sense for both parties, then there is still a chance that he moves on. Either way, it will be a difficult decision to make. For a player with three years left on his current deal, a loan would be more likely but if he stays and impresses in the top flight, his value could rise.
‘It depends how Jack uses his chances,’ Farke said in Sweden. ‘He’s under contract. He’s a player who knows the Premier League inside out. ‘He’s a really good age, has many Premier League appearances and we would be stupid if we didn’t want to use it. I think he’s a great guy, a hard worker, a pretty reliable player and has proven this on Premier League level.’
Across the subsequent friendlies in Germany – played behind closed doors – Farke’s focus on Harrison was evident, with constant one-on-one communication.
Perhaps that was due to Harrison still getting to terms with Farke’s style and vice-versa but it made you ask the question: Would that level of attention to detail be put on a player if there was no future planned?
The friendly against Villarreal at Elland Road would have been an early indicator of seeing whether the fanbase had taken heed of Farke’s comments. As one Leeds fan posted on X: ‘I get butterflies over the thought of Elland Road booing Jack Harrison.’
Instead, Harrison was absent from the squad due to an adductor problem. His initial fears were that it could be as serious as the hip injury he suffered in 2023 but the scans went well.
Go back to that comment about wanting to make history at Leeds and for now, it looks very likely that Harrison will play at Elland Road this season. The patching up still needs to be done and it is quite the narrative that Leeds host Everton on Monday.
Wilfried Gnonto is an example of what can be done to help Leeds players back into the side
Harrison was keen to remain in the Premier League while Leeds spent the last two seasons in the second tier
There will still be boos but it won’t stop Farke from turning to Harrison. The German knows too that delivering on the pitch will be the perfect remedy for an unideal situation.
‘Our supporters don’t need my message,‘ said Farke. ‘I’m sure it will calm down and everyone knows that whoever wears this shirt should get support because it’s always beneficial for a group if you support the players.
‘In pre-season, he’s proven he’s ready. I’m sure if he works really hard for this club and has good appearances then 100 per cent our supporters will be behind him.
‘They don’t need me to remind them. This will be natural once he delivers good performances.’