Leeds entered the 2020/21 season as a newly qualified team having gained Category One status at the beginning of 2020. It is fair to say they took to the league like a duck to water, winning the U23s Division Two by eleven points (although their U18s struggled to a twelfth place finish). As a result Leeds U23s will start next season competing with the likes of Liverpool, Man Utd and Chelsea in Division One in a division that is starting to look more like a proper league.
With an excellent scouting network, Leeds are masters of picking up bargains as evidenced by their recruitment of Sam Greenwood, Joe Gelhardt and Cody Drameh last season. This year they’ve already added Chelsea U23 stand out Lewis Bate for a nominal fee and Birmingham city “wonderkid” Amari Miller has also been added to a loaded front line.
There is youth talent throughout the academy, particularly in the U23 set up and Bielsa could be just the man to exploit the riches available.
| U23 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Pos | |
| GK | Dani van den Heuvel |
| CB | Charlie Cresswell |
| CB | Nohan Kenneh |
| RB | Cody Drameh |
| LB | Liam McCarron |
| CM | Jack Jenkins |
| CM | Stuart McKinstry |
| CM | Joe Gelhardt |
| RW | Crysencio Summerville |
| LW | Max Dean |
| CF | Sam Greenwood |
| U18 Projected Starters | |
|---|---|
| Pos | |
| GK | Harry Christy |
| CB | Kris Moore |
| CB | Joe Littlewood |
| RB | Harvey Sutcliffe |
| LB | Cuba Cline |
| CM | Charlie Allen |
| CM | Joe Snowdon |
| CM | Morton Spencer |
| RW | Lui Bradbury |
| LW | Keenan Carole |
| CF | Conor Ferguson |
Players in Profile - Three to Watch in 2021/2022
Crysencio Summerville
- Position: RW
- Age: 19
- Nationality: Dutch
Summerville arrived from Feyenoord having already appeared in twenty-one Eredivisie games at seventeen years old. The Dutch U19 international has also made an impression on the international stage, scoring six times in just five games for his country. In his first season of English football, the flying winger scored and assisted six times in twelve appearances, looking excellent as he consistently demolished opposition full backs. Given his first team exposure in Holland, Summerville is a prime candidate for the first team especially if Raphinha does move on which may create an opening in the squad. Lightening quick and alert defensively, Summerville is an exciting winger with the bonus of being good in the press.
Charlie Cresswell
- Position: CB
- Age: 18
- Nationality: English
Cresswell is an England U19 international with a tremendous eye for a pass, good close control and an ability to either step out of defence or play his way into midfield. The youngster has already made his Leeds debut, playing the full ninety in an EFL Cup game last season, and given his impressive appearances for the U23 squad he will be expecting to push on and establish himself as part of the first team squad on a more regular basis. He is tall and strong in the air, which probably gives him more chances to be trusted with Premier League action. Although he is just eighteen, Cresswell has plenty of attributes to push on for more appearances.
Cody Drameh
- Position: RB
- Age: 19
- Nationality: English
Drameh joined Leeds from Fulham in 2020 and has already earned the reputation as a top prospect within the club. At just nineteen years old, Drameh has already made fifty-five appearances in the U23 League and has begun to take tentative steps towards first team football. With only the uninspiring option of Luke Ayling ahead of him, Drameh will expect to compete week-to-week for the starting job. A truly complete wing back, Drameh is an excellent defender and a dynamic attacking weapon. He has the ideal size/weight/speed combination and is a very good crosser of the ball. Drameh should be an immediate upgrade for Leeds once he is deemed ready to replace Ayling.