There are very few sets of supporters more passionate about seeing a good young player break through the ranks than the Leeds United faithful. The likes of Alan Smith, Jonathan Woodgate, James Milner and Aaron Lennon have all set a benchmark that is there to be targeted for all current and future Elland Road hopefuls.
With the 2021/22 campaign now over, we look at 10 youngsters who will be hoping they can make a big impact on the Whites’ first team next season:
Lewis Bate (19) – the Sidcup-born midfielder has represented England at under-17, under-18 and under-21 level and came through the youth ranks at Chelsea before joining the Whites last summer for a fee believed to be in the region of ?1.5million. He went on to score for United’s Under 23s during a 5-3 EFL Trophy defeat at Salford.
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Bate will have subsequently been disappointed that his Premier League debut at West Ham in January saw him introduced as a 22nd-minute substitute and then replaced before the second half’s midway point after a tactical switch by Marcelo Bielsa, but he went on to feature twice under Jesse Marsch during the vital final month of the campaign, which will give him encouragement that he can feature more regularly during 2022/23.
Charlie Cresswell (19)
The son of former Leeds striker Richard acquitted himself really well on his full Premier League debut during September’s 2-1 home defeat to West Ham and became an England under-21 international in November. Also given subsequent minutes during four more league contests and looks to have all the physical attributes and mental aptitude to make an even bigger impact next term.
An Under-23 title-winning captain, he is also regarded as a player with natural leadership qualities.
Cody Drameh (20)
The Dulwich-born full back also became an England under-21 international in November and was given his first Whites start in the Premier League during December’s 4-1 home defeat to Arsenal, having already been handed two substitute outings by Bielsa. Spent the second half of the season at Championship club Cardiff, where he racked up encouraging reports and 22 starts for ex-Leeds striker Steve Morison.
That exposure should give him the confidence to make significant strides with his parent club next term.
Archie Gray (16)
Everyone was hoping that they might get a glimpse of the great-nephew of United legend Eddie and grandson of former Elland Road favourite Frank in a first-team shirt after he first made the bench at the age of 15 for the December meeting with Arsenal. Further spells in the dugout followed, as he furthered his footballing education by witnessing first-hand what is required at the highest professional level.
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He did feature in the 4-1 EFL Trophy defeat at Tranmere in September teeing up Amari Miller for the team’s consolation, before rattling in a 35-yard strike for the Under 23s against Manchester United in March. Gray has also captained England U16s and, whilst expectation needs to be managed carefully given his tender years, his progress will continue to be closely followed by all United supporters in 2022/23.
Sam Greenwood (20)
Clearly rated enough by Marsch to be given his full Premier League debut during the vital final-day contest at Brentford, where he was asked to play in midfield, as opposed to his normal striking role. He did not disappoint either with an enthusiastic, hard-working 85 minutes, before he made way for Mateusz Klich.
Another who debuted for England Under 21s in November and marked his debut for that age group with a goal during the 3-2 defeat to Georgia. Looks likely to be given a good chance to further prove his credentials in pre-season, but Marsch now knows he can trust him to do a job in the most pressurised of environments when needed.
Leo Fjur Helde (18)
He became the youngest Norwegian to play in the Premier League when he came on as a substitute against West Ham in January. One more outing from the bench followed against Everton, but he did not feature at all under Marsch, despite the team’s injury woes, and looks to have a big challenge on his hands to make the breakthrough during 2022/23.
Jack Jenkins (20)
The midfielder signed a new three-year deal in September, but was unable to add to his one senior first-team appearance for the Whites in the 2020/21 3-0 FA Cup defeat to Crawley, where he was used as a 45th-minute substitute. Will be 21 in November and, if he still looks a fair distance from Marsch’s first-team plans in August, might benefit from a loan move.
Liam McCarron (21)
Having made his senior debut at the age of 17 and gone on to rack up 20 outings on loan for Carlisle, the Scotland under-19 international winger is at a stage in his career now where he needs more exposure than the one 81st-minute substitute outing (against Arsenal for Leeds in December) that he has experienced since. Another one who would probably profit from football elsewhere in 2022/23.
Stuart McKinstry (19)
Showed he had the nerve to convert the winning penalty during an EFL Cup shoot-out victory over Fulham in September. Also handed a brief substitute outing in the Premier League at Tottenham two months later. Another one to take a good look at in pre-season before pondering on his likely prospects for next term.
Kris Moore (18)
The centre back signed a pro deal for the club in January having made the first-team bench. He featured in all three of the club’s EFL Trophy contests last term when the side conceded a total of 12 goals in three games against Tranmere, Oldham and Salford, but the experience will have no doubt provided a valuable insight into the physical requirements of men’s football.
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