Sam Greenwood cut a frustrated figure towards the end of Leeds United’s Premier League campaign. The 21-year-old featured in just four of the club’s last 15 games in the top flight and his impact was extremely limited as a result.
Three of those outings came under Sam Allardyce and one was a start, against Newcastle United, but he couldn’t do enough to make his mark. Ultimately, then, while he did manage to show glimpses of his talent, his first season as a full-time first-teamer was a challenging one.
He’ll be feeling optimistic about what it’s in store for him next season, though, and it seems he is in a determined mood as he prepares for the start of pre-season. The Whites aren’t due back at Thorp Arch until July 2, five weeks before the new Championship campaign gets underway, but Greenwood is already in training, it seems.
The midfielder has been taking to social media this week to post videos of the work he has been getting through while away on his summer break. Greenwood can be seen battling the heat in what seems to be an agility drill before curling the ball into net, in trademark fashion, during a finishing exercise.
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As such, while he won’t be the only Leeds man ticking over during the summer months, he’ll hope to hit the ground running when pre-season gets underway and make a fine first impression on the new head coach, who is yet to be appointed. Leeds hope to have the new man in charge in time for day one of their Championship preparations and although there is still so much uncertainty surrounding personnel, Greenwood knows impressing through July will stand him in good stead ahead of what is easily his biggest season as a player.
The Whites are already short of midfield options with Adam Forshaw and Weston McKennie saying their goodbyes and they will be braced for more departures, too. Brenden Aaronson, Marc Roca and Tyler Adams have all been linked away from Elland Road and they could be set to leave should the right offer arrive.
The door is ajar for Greenwood, then, as the former Arsenal man strives to claim a regular spot in the Whites Championship line-up and take the next step in his career. His intense solo summer training provides a window into his mindset this summer and he’ll be determined to take any opportunity that falls his way.
