Recruited as one of England’s best young strikers, Sam Greenwood settled into Leeds United’s under-23 ranks effortlessly and became one of the team’s biggest goal threats. Whether it was from free-kicks or in open play, the former Arsenal forward was a menace for Premier League 2 defences.
The trend continued with his country’s age-group sides, where Greenwood continued to pull on the number nine shirt. Joe Gelhardt, his close friend and team-mate, has proved an excellent strike partner or even rival in some cases.
Leeds have two of the best young forwards in the country and their friendly rivalry has continued to push one another forward. However, there has been a slight shift in the dynamic for one of them.
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Jesse Marsch took Greenwood under his wing from the start of his tenure and talked the youth up as the fastest adapter to his philosophy in training. Furthermore, Marsch has seen enough in the 20-year-old to even change his position.
Greenwood was no stranger to an attacking midfielder role under Mark Jackson in the under-23s, but under Marsch he has been experimented with even further from goal. On the final day in fact, on his full debut, Greenwood was one of United’s best players as one half of the double pivot alongside Kalvin Phillips.
The decision was even put to Marsch as a bold call in the post-match press conference at Brentford, but the head coach laughed off that suggestion. He said: “That was a big call, wasn’t it?
“For me, it was an easy call because Sam’s been so great and I’ve always been itching to get him on the pitch. I thought he played great.”
It remains to be seen just where Greenwood’s future on the pitch lies, but one response to a question in the club’s programme showed his line of thinking. Speaking in April, Greenwood admitted Luka Modric, himself a deep-lying playmaker, was someone he looked to learn from on television.
“That’s one thing I do when I am not playing it and I am watching football,” he said. “I do enjoy studying it.
“So when I watch the games l like to watch people who play in my position and see what they are doing.
“So in the [Manchester] City-[Real] Madrid game the other night I just really enjoyed watching a lot of Luka Modric, he’s class. His technical ability is just so good and he will see a pass a lot of others can't.
“I loved watching Karim Benzema, as well. His movement to get space and lose his man is so good. His penalty wasn’t a bad one either.”
The Benzema reference is a clear nod to his natural attacking instincts, but it’s clear this midfield transition for Greenwood is going to be no flash in the pan. Based on his Brentford display, fans too will be hoping it remains an experiment Marsch pursues.
