Leeds United have prided themselves on the strength of their academy set-up for some time. The Whites have invested heavily in their young talent over the years and they are seeing results with a number of homegrown players currently playing key roles within Jesse Marsch’s first-team.
The likes of Crysencio Summerville, Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood have recently made the step up and several more are considered to be on the peripheries of the senior squad. With Leeds gearing up for a return to Premier League action and the new year approaching, Leeds Live look at some of those targeting a breakthrough in 2023.
Mateo Joseph
The Spanish forward is right on the edge of the first-team picture and after earning himself a Premier League debut last month, he’ll be determined to build on that and kick on over the next few months. It’s fair to say Joseph has enjoyed himself this season, establishing himself as one of the most dangerous young strikers in the country with 12 goals coming for the U21s in all competitions.
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A four-goal haul came against Derby County on the opening day of the season and further hat-tricks have come against Stoke City and Middlesbrough to help the Whites to the summit of the Premier League 2 Division 2 table. Marsch has been watching his progress closely and Joseph was rewarded with a first senior start in the Carabao Cup loss to Wolves last month.
He fared well at Molineux and a league bow followed as he emerged off the bench late in United’s last outing at Tottenham. It seems likely that Joseph will continue to have a role to play within the youth set-up, but he’ll be keen to secure even more first-team opportunities.
Archie Gray
The midfielder hasn’t made a senior debut for the Whites just yet, but his development is being monitored closely and he is considered to be a member of Marsch’s first-team squad. Gray was included on the club’s pre-season tour of Australia, which made his standing clear within the club and he caught the eye during his brief time on the field Down Under.
Unfortunately, due to illness and injury his game time has been limited this season, making just four appearances for the U21s. It’s unclear when he’ll be ready to return to action as he battles to overcome an ankle issue, but he’ll be training with the first-team when he’s back fit and he’ll be no doubt be keen to make up for lost time.
Sonny Perkins
The forward was another to be handed a Leeds debut against Wolves last month and, like Joseph, he looked the part. Perkins carried the ball well and looked capable of creating chances in the game against a relatively strong Wolves outfit.
Marsch named him on the bench for the Spurs game a few weeks later, but he never got on to make a Premier League debut for the Whites. Perkins only joined the club in summer, making the move from West Ham United, but he has settled into life at Elland Road seamlessly with eight goals coming in all competitions for Michael Skubala’s U21s.
The 18-year-old is training with the first-team and he’s bound to have more chances in the New Year should he continue to catch the eye.
Darko Gyabi
Gyabi was Leeds’ third debutant at Molineux and having made the £5million switch from Manchester City over the summer, he’s clearly highly thought of at Elland Road. The midfielder has been a key man for the U21s, producing dominant displays in the middle of the park and showing his class and ability with the ball at his feet, while training with the first-team on a full-time basis.
Gyabi has been an unused substitute in the league on four occasions this season which is perhaps an indication about how close he is to a breakthrough and with games coming thick and fast after the restart, Marsch may find himself looking in the youngster’s direction.
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