Jesse Marsch will have a much clearer idea of his Leeds United squad following the end of their pre-season tour of Australia. Three matches Down Under saw one win, one draw and one defeat with plenty of positives to take back home.
Of the six summer additions that travelled to Australia, five produced impressive performances as they settled into the squad, with Luis Sinisterra unable to do so by no fault of his own. Last season’s players, meanwhile, looked a lot more like a Marsch side, with aggressive pressing and direct, central attacks.
But while so much attention was paid to the big money arrivals from this summer, a host of the Whites' promising young talents were also attempting to force their way into the American’s first-team plans. A fresh start and full pre-season under Marsch can give the likes of Cody Drameh, Crysencio Summerville and Archie Gray the opportunity to make the step up to first team football next season.
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But which of the club’s future stars did enough to influence Marsch’s plans?
Cody Drameh
The 20-year-old only managed 71 minutes, thanks mainly to the outstanding performances of Rasmus Kristensen, but Cody Drameh will be part of Jesse Marsch’s plans next season despite the Australia tour.
Luke Ayling’s spell on the sidelines following surgery will continue into next season, making Drameh the back-up right back at Elland Road, and the former Fulham man will hope to get some more minutes during the campaign.
Leo Hjelde
Another who only featured sporadically - 67 minutes - Leo Hjelde’s prominence within the first team picture will depend on any remaining summer business at left-back. The 18-year-old looked solid when called upon both Down Under and in bits last season, but falls behind natural left-back Leif Davis.
Hjelde still has plenty of time to emerge as a first-team player, but his 2022/2023 campaign will likely be with the under-21s.
Leif Davis
Similarly to Hjelde, exactly how prominent Leif Davis becomes depends on Leeds’ search for a left-back. As it stands, the 22-year-old is Marsch’s first-choice left-back, but the Whites manager’s eagerness to bring in a new option suggests he is not entirely happy.
Davis played 113 minutes in Australia - more than Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood - but failed to make the standout impact that would put him into serious first-team contention. Ipswich remain keen on a deal for the defender and that may still happen.
Archie Gray
The 16-year-old’s tour ended early after John McGinn’s nasty challenge sent him off on a stretcher, but assessments revealed the injury was not as severe as first thought and the young midfielder did no harm to his first-team prospects.
Unfazed by the senior professionals around him and confident in his abilities, the teenager looks ready for a steady introduction into the first team and Marsch hinted as much before the squad even flew to Australia.
Darko Gyabi
There was some debate when Darko Gyabi joined from Manchester City as to where exactly he would play. The £5million price tag hinted away from under-21s football but Leeds’ midfield depth suggested first-team football might be a step too far.
But despite only playing 74 minutes, the 18-year-old did enough in Australia to settle said debate and put himself into the first-team picture. Gyabi’s quality in possession against Brisbane Roar was a shining light in a poor second-half and his composure will be called upon by Marsch throughout the season.
Crysencio Summerville
The Dutch winger looked like a man with a point to prove Down Under, doing everything he can to catch Marsch’s eye during his 102 minutes on the turf. The severity of Luis Sinisterra’s hamstring injury could change matters, but Crysencio Summerville will no doubt be a part of the senior picture next season.
Finally out of the shadow of Raphinha, the 20-year-old has a clear path to develop at Elland Road and compete for his place on the right hand side.
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