OPINION
Leeds United have seen several players rise through their academy into the senior squad in recent years and sensation Kun Temenuzhkov should be the next to follow suit.
The 17-year-old striker moved to Elland Road in the summer from Barcelona and has linked straight up with the Under-23s side.
He is adjusting to life in English football and the centre-forward is already impressing at youth level.
Temenuzhkov is a highly rated player that has been included by the Guardian in their 2017 Next Generation top 60 outstanding young players.
Their report also made the comparison between the Bulgarian forward and Barcelona talisman Luis Suarez.
“Growing up idolising Luis Suárez, the pint-sized prospect has shown the same predator’s instinct in the penalty area as the Uruguay striker,” the report detailed.
Thomas Christiansen should take a serious look at his academy and consider fast-tracking Temenuzhkov into his senior squad.
Kalvin Phillips and Ronaldo Vieria have made the seamless step up at Elland Road in the past 12 months and should act as a role model to the younger players.
Leeds currently have Pierre-Michel Lassoga as their first-choice striker, but there is not much serous competition behind him in the shape of Jay-Roy Grot and Caleb Ekuban.
Temenuzhkov is being tipped for greatness in the game and bringing him into the first-team fold now could be a genius move by Christiansen.
He is a technically gifted player that has been schooled by Barcelona’s academy and would give a different edge to the team.
The striker is prolific in front of goal and managed 30 goals in as many league games for Barcelona’s junior B side last season.
He would become a fan favourite if he turns out to be even half the player Suarez is and Leeds fans would surely love to see a player break into the senior team from the Under-23s.
Temenuzhkov is obviously still at a very early stage of his career and nobody will want to heap too much pressure on his young shoulders, but at least having him train with the senior squad will help his development immensely and Leeds could unearth a huge gem.