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Coming off the back of their first Premier League season in over 15 years, Leeds United look to be in a more than comfortable position.
With a ninth-place finish, a solid team to work with, and Marcelo Bielsa looking increasingly likely to extend his stay in West Yorkshire, the future for Leeds is looking particularly bright.
They possess a side that, though inherently Championship quality, have collectively made the leap to the Premier League under the fervent guidance of their Argentine mentor. Leeds’ additions were few and fine, with each new face helping develop the Whites in their transition from a Championship side to a Premier League outfit.
An always rocky defence was solidified by the likes of Diego Llorente and Robin Koch and a sometimes-lacklustre attack was reinforced by Rodrigo and Raphinha, whilst a leaky goalmouth once ‘guarded’ by an ex-Real Madrid player was plugged by a man not old enough to drink alcohol in America when he was signed.
This Leeds team holds a nice balance of youth and experience. They maintain a harmonious environment that has long been lacking at Elland Road. With a strong comradery under even stronger guidance, it feels safe to assume that many currently at Leeds will be plying their trade in LS11 for a while yet.
Perhaps neglected by the wider football world, however, is the current promise of Leeds’ youth set-up. The Whites have long been known for their youth talent, with Thorp Arch’s name always carrying weight amongst the world of football development.
From the names engrained in Don Revie folklore to the modern-day workhorses still showcasing their talent in the English top-flight, Arch’s history is storied, and its alumni strong. From Eddie Gray to Gary Kelly, to the more recent talents such as James Milner and, of course, Kalvin Phillips.
The arrival of Bielsa was only ever going to mean good things for United’s youth development, with El Loco unquestionably salvaging what was an otherwise dark and murky period for Leeds, both in their youth and senior sides. Let’s be honest, before Bielsa, the 2010s are hardly worth remembering for the Whites.
The 2020/21 season saw young players such as Illan Meslier and Pascal Struijk make considerable impacts on the first team, seizing their chances and solidifying themselves as regular starters. Leeds too had the likes of Ian Poveda, Jamie Shackleton and Leif Davis impressing with the limited time they had in the side.
Whilst some youngsters have been making strides in the first team, many have been making waves for Mark Jackson’s under-23s. Jackson’s side were one that stormed the Premier League 2 Division Two last season, winning the league by 11 points and earning promotion to the first division.
It’s no secret that Victor Orta is looking to further reinforce Leeds’ youth ranks with a mass import of talent akin to that of last year. The Whites have already been linked to Bradford City’s Darryl Ombang, Watford’s James Debayo and Celtic’s Leo Hjelde.
The Yorkshire club are certainly looking to build their under-23s, however, it’s important to look at the pre-existing foundations that are strong enough to hold their own and take on the weight of newcomers. It’s hard to neglect any member of a title-winning side, but detailed below are three of the players that seem closest to making a first-team breakthrough.
Arguably the two with the best chances for first-team football in the near future are Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood.
Before arriving in West Yorkshire, Joe Gelhardt had already established himself as a promising talent at Wigan. Through unfortunate circumstances at the DW Stadium, Leeds were able to snag the young forward for just £1 million upon the Latics’ relegation.
Many fans have been calling for Gelhardt to be further included in the first team given the clear capability he possesses. Bielsa and Jackson, however, have chosen to keep him almost exclusively in the under-23s, with such a claim omitting the occasional times he has featured on the bench in the Premier League as an unused substitute.
Joe Gelhardt boasts incredible potential. His versatility as either a striker or centre-attacking midfielder is something that suits a Bielsa side down to a tee.
It was Patrick Bamford who likened Gelhardt to none other than Wayne Rooney:
“I don’t want to say the same level… but he is the same kind of build as Rooney was. A stocky lad. A great finisher”.
Leeds’ number nine spoke well and true of his fellow attacker. Gelhardt, though diminutive in size, holds his own in most physical duels he participates in. An explosively quick attacker, his speed and strength have moulded him into a dangerously talented prospect, as well as his ability with the ball at his feet and his evident striking ability.
His great finishing is best evidenced by his 11 goals this season, a number which was bested only by Sam Greenwood.
Finishing with 12 goals, Gelhardt’s attacking partner Greenwood has developed monumental traction about his potential this season. The Sunderland-born forward has wowed spectators with his natural two-footedness, his ability as an attacker, and his dazzling technique as a set-piece taker.
Greenwood was signed in the same window as Gelhardt, joining the Leeds ranks for £1.5 million from the Arsenal academy ahead of the 2020/21 campaign. Joining from a big club understandably demands a bigger fee, but it’s very hard to argue that Greenwood hasn’t been worth every penny.
It’s probably fair to say that Gelhardt had the most hype of the two upon their arrival. Though Greenwood still had noticeable excitement surrounding him, having arrived from Arsenal, many had seen Gelhardt showcase his talents in the second tier of English football.
Over the course of the 2020/21 season though, Greenwood did more than enough to make a name for himself for Jackson’s side. He made a brief cameo in Leeds’ 3-0 defeat to Crawley Town in the FA Cup but didn’t make any other senior appearances.
It’s clear that both Gelhardt and Greenwood possess an unfathomably high ceiling of potential, which will surely be reached under the combined guidance of Bielsa and Jackson. That being said, it isn’t just the attack of Leeds’ under-23s that hold such talented players with seemingly limitless potential.
Sitting further back from his attacking teammates is right-back Cody Drameh. The former Fulham prospect was practically irreplaceable throughout the season. His profile an appreciated oddity in that he is a thoroughly capable player. He doesn’t cut corners; he doesn’t have a noticeable aspect of his game that needs improvement.
Still so young, the lack of flaws in Drameh’s game is quite astounding. A physical defender, quick enough to bomb up and down the right flank (or left, should he need to), and a willingness to put in a tackle or a cross depending on his circumstance, Drameh bares resemblance to his first 11 positional counterpart.
Well-loved by fans, players and staff alike, Luke Ayling won’t be dropped from the Leeds starting 11 anytime soon. When the time comes, however, Leeds can approach the notion comfortably, knowing they have got a near carbon copy waiting in the wings.
Drameh can patiently develop well aware that, ahead of him, is a great full-back in the prime of his career. With no pressure comes better outcomes, and it seems that Thorp Arch helps players exceed even their best-predicted potential.
The under-23 team is promising in its entirety, excitement is not just limited to the aforementioned trio. The likes of Jack Jenkins, Crysencio Summerville, Stuart McKinstry and Charlie Cresswell are too incredibly talented, and in truth, the whole squad could be listed as promising. Of all of them, however, it seems as though Gelhardt, Greenwood and Drameh are the three closest to breaking into the first team.
Their playstyles are met with unmatched praise, with spectators unable to find much, if anything, to critique. Under Jackson, they have been able to grow as players, both in their own right and as ones that fit seamlessly into a Bielsa-ball system. They already seem to possess the necessary physicality to play in Leeds’ first team and are at a stage in their careers from which they will only better themselves.
Bielsa has his ways, and no amount of pleading fans will rush him into a decision. When he opts to involve his younger players in the senior side, it will be when he deems them ready for the occasion.
Regardless of when that is, the future remains an exciting horizon for Leeds United.
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