Leeds United made heavy use of the loan market with their fringe players last summer as 10 players departed in search of regular game time. Players such as Helder Costa and Kiko Casilla, who were regulars in the promotion season, earned moves to La Liga, while youngsters such as Alfie McCalmont and Ryan Edmondson made moves to the Football League to gain valuable senior experience.
It is fair to say that it has been a relatively mixed bag in terms of the success of each of the loans, with some playing far more football than others. So with that in mind, here is an assessment of each of their season’s so far and whether they have done enough to stake a claim for a place in Leeds’ squad next season.
Helder Costa – Valencia
It has been another very frustrating season on the field for Helder Costa, who has much found himself in and out of the side at Valencia. The 28-year-old struggled for game time early on but between October and the new year, enjoyed a strong run of 10 starts in 11 matches.
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However, following the January addition of Bryan Gil, Costa has found minutes extremely hard to come by, with his last start coming almost four months ago. His return of zero goals and one assist means Leeds will probably attempt to shift him permanently this summer.
Ian Poveda – Blackburn Rovers
Ian Poveda went out on loan to Blackburn Rovers in the Championship with the aim of proving he has what it takes to cope with the demands of senior football. And he had very much started to do that until he suffered a serious ankle injury at the worst possible time.
Poveda had just scored his first professional goal in a man of the match performance against Sheffield United, before just a week later his season was brought to a halt. The 22-year-old is still recovering from that injury now and the likelihood is he will need another loan in the Championship to prove himself.
Kiko Casilla – Elche
After falling behind Illan Meslier in the pecking order, Kiko Casilla made the move to La Liga side Elche in search of regular game time. And that is what he had until the end of October, as he has not started a single match since.
The 35-year-old has found himself on the bench every week and given how it’s gone, it’s hard to see Elche signing him permanently. Casilla will still have another year left to run on his Leeds deal at the end of the season, however a parting of ways is the likely outcome here.
Leif Davis – Bournemouth
Leif Davis has arguably been the unluckiest of all Leeds’ loanees this season, as only the excellent form of Bournemouth’s Jordan Zemura has prevented him from earning regular game time. Davis has impressed whenever he has been given the chance at the Cherries, though Zemura has remained Scott Parker’s first choice.
Given Leeds’ shortage of left backs, Davis could’ve been a useful asset this season, particularly given the poor form of Junior Firpo. Having said that, the fact Leeds allowed an option to buy to be included in the deal last summer means his future at Elland Road is probably over.
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Alfie McCalmont – Morecambe
With Morecambe’s form having taken a real nosedive in the last two months, Alfie McCalmont has found himself in and out of the starting XI recently. The 22-year-old has made 18 starts this season, though just three of those have come in the last 14 matches.
Given that he hasn’t quite had the impact he would’ve wanted at the Shrimps, either another Football League loan, or a permanent parting of ways feels like the most likely scenario at this stage.
Ryan Edmondson – Fleetwood Town/Port Vale
After struggling for regular game time at League One side Fleetwood Town, Ryan Edmondson saw his loan spell cut short there in favour of a temporary switch to Port Vale. Edmondson has enjoyed a far more positive impact at Vale Park, netting three goals in seven starts as they continue their push for promotion.
His earlier season struggles, though, suggest that Edmondson may have found his level in League Two, and he certainly has all the physical attributes needed to be a success there.
Mateusz Bogusz – UD Ibiza
Young Polish midfielder Mateusz Bogusz was enjoying a strong season at UD Ibiza until an ACL injury cut his season short in early January. Bogusz netted four goals and provided seven assists in 20 matches for the Spanish Second Division side.
The nature of this injury, though, is likely to set him back a sustained period of time. However, when he returns, perhaps a loan to the Championship would be a better indicator as to whether he has what it takes to make it at Leeds.
Laurens de Bock – Zulte Waregem
Laurens de Bock has not made an appearance for Leeds since March 2018, which is a pretty clear tell tale that his future lays elsewhere regardless of how he is performing at Zulte Waregem.
De Bock has been a regular for the Belgian side and has even earned the club’s captaincy this season. His contract at Elland Road is up in the summer and there is little to no chance that it will be renewed.
Kun Temenuzhkov – Real Union
Another of the loan contingent who has hardly set the world alight this season is Kun Temenuzhkov. Kun has netted just three times in 20 appearances for Real Union over the course of the campaign, meaning it is very unlikely that the 22-year-old has a long-term future at Leeds, despite the high hopes the club had for him when he first arrived from Barcelona.
Elia Caprile – Pro Patria
Prior to joining Pro Patria on a season long loan last summer, Elia Caprile penned a three-year contract extension at Leeds, suggesting they still have high hopes for him. Caprile has started 32 matches for the Serie C – A side this season, though given the level of football he is playing at, another temporary switch away next term seems the most likely scenario at this stage.
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