Leeds United return to training at Thorp Arch on November 28. The Whites’ squad been given two weeks to get some much-needed rest and relaxation in over the World Cup break before Jesse Marsch welcomes them back to training.
The head coach will have spotted plenty of room for improvement over the first 14 games of the Premier League season and he’ll be keen to get to work in the build-up to Christmas. A host of players will be looking to prove points to head coach during this spell, with the likes of Mateusz Klich, Diego Llorente and Luke Ayling determined to pick up more game time over the second half of the season.
However, the head coach will also be faced with a number of youngsters who are keen to give him some food for thought, too, in their attempts to force their way into the side. Here’s a look at just some of those who will be striving to catch the head coach’s eye.
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Wilfried Gnonto
The Italian international had to wait for his chance under Marsch and he spent the first two months of his Leeds career playing for the Under-21s while he settled in and acclimatised to life in West Yorkshire following his move from FC Zurich. Gnonto got his chance as he stepped off the bench for the final 18 minutes at Anfield on October 29 and he grabbed it with both hands, playing a big role in the build-up to Crysencio Summerville’s winner.
He repeated the feat a week later against Bournemouth, this time directly setting up the winning goal and helping Leeds to come back from 3-1 down to pick up three points. A full debut last time out at Tottenham Hotspur wasn’t quite as successful, but he’ll be keen to kick on and make the most of the run he has enjoyed over the last few weeks.
He’s impressed Marsch with his attitude and desire to improve and if he can look the part in training when he gets back from international duty, the head coach may find himself looking towards the 19-year-old more when he’s in need of a spark moving forward. Marsch will be hoping Luis Sinisterra will be fit to play after the break but if he's not Gnonto could be the man given the nod.
Sam Greenwood
Greenwood has been included in every match day squad Marsch has picked this season, but he probably hasn’t had as much game time as he would have hoped so far. The forward-turned-midfielder played just 28 Premier League minutes over the first month of the season, coming off the bench three times and struggling to make a clear impact.
The head coach looked his way in October when Fulham travelled to Elland Road, but his first start of the year ended in frustration and defeat. However, Marsch turned his way once more a fortnight later and Greenwood came up with the goods, claiming a goal and an assist in the comeback victory over Bournemouth.
With Tyler Adams suspended for the visit of Manchester City next up, Greenwood will be determined to make that spot his by impressing in training and the Sunderland-born youngster will be understandably be keen to be involved when Leeds go to Newcastle United on New Year’s Eve.
Mateo Joseph
Joseph is unlikely to forget the last two weeks in a hurry after earning a first-team debut and a Premier League bow for the Whites. The 19-year-old has been in red hot form for the U21s this season, bagging 12 goals, and his performances have been enough to see him called up into the senior side to work under Marsch.
He didn't look out of place in his first appearance, getting 90 minutes under his belt against Wolves in the Carabao Cup and Marsch handed him a brief cameo at the end of last weekend’s Spurs clash, too. Building on the last fortnight will be Joseph’s aim, though, and while it seems likely that most of his game time will come in the youth set up for now, he will be determined to ensure appearances in the first-team become a regular occurrence.
Making himself stand out in training between now and Leeds’ next game ought to stand him in good stead and it might just persuade Marsch to give him another run out before the festive period is over.
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