New Leeds United under-21s coach Michael Skubala is confident Sonny Perkins has what it takes to succeed at Elland Road. Perkins completed his switch to West Yorkshire from West Ham United last month after impressing in the Hammers’ youth ranks for several seasons.
Perkins is highly thought of by those at Leeds and he showed why with an eye-catching performance on Friday night for the club’s U21 side against Derby County. Mateo Joseph was Leeds’ standout performer at Pride Park, bagging four goals in a 5-2 victory, but Sonny Perkins grabbed the other for the Whites to mark his first appearance for his new club with a goal.
Skubala knows Perkins well from his time working with England under-18s and he’s keen to see the forward take the next step in his career in a Leeds shirt.
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“I’ve worked with Sonny for a year with England under-18s, so I know Sonny really well,” Skubala said. “He’s a great athlete, a superb, humble human being.
“He would have liked to get a goal today (on Friday), I know Sonny would want a goal, there’s no doubt, you can see it. Sonny likes goals, he thrives on goals.
“As a club we have to be patient with Sonny because he will get it, but his role is slightly changing within our philosophy, so we have to give him time. No doubt he will be a success for this club, in my eyes.
“He’s just learning the way that we want to play and our philosophy.”
Skubala, who was once coach of the England futsal team, also knows Darko Gyabi well from his time working within the national set-up. Gyabi was one of Leeds’ most impressive against the Rams and he’s another who caught the eye of the youth side boss on Friday night.
“You can see Darko’s quality,” he added. “Again, I’ve worked with him with England under-18s for a year. Darko does lovely stuff on the ball, he turns out of pockets where you’re thinking ‘how’s he got out of there?’
“You forget how young he is because he looks so strong but he’s still a young player, we just have to get him better at knowing when and where not to do that. He can influence the game.”
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