OPINION
With January just around the corner there will be plenty of Leeds United fans who are getting excited about the prospect of new signings at Elland Road, as the club push on for a top six finish.
There is a real sense of belief not only among the stands but among the squad as well and manager Marcelo Bielsa will be hoping his men will be able to keep up their early season performances in the second half of the campaign.
However, one thing that the Argentine boss appears unlikely to do is go on a January shopping spree – much to the disappointment of the fans – with the Telegraph reporting that he will instead turn his focus to the under-23 players already at the club, rather than new arrivals, to help fill any gaps.
Such news will be a huge boost for the young Leeds talents looking to make their breakthrough and it means there are likely to be a number of senior bows before the season is over.
This is Futbol has picked out three young talents who look likely to get their first team shot before the campaign comes to an end:
Sam Dalby – Striker
One area where Leeds are well equipped is up front, with teenage striker Ryan Edmondson having already picked up two appearances for the first team – albeit one at left back and the other on the wing.
If the 17-year-old is not going to be favoured as a centre forward, then 18-year-old giant Sam Dalby – standing at 6’3″ tall (source: Transfermarkt) – might well be.
Overshadowed by his younger counterpart of late, Dalby has been a regular for the under-23s, although many of his appearances have come as a substitute, replacing more experienced options such as Tyler Roberts.
Despite that, he has shown his ability in front of goal with four strikes and is likely on Bielsa’s radar for the new year.
Pascal Struijk – Centre Back
Another teenage giant for Carlos Corberan’s side, Pascal Struijk stands just under 6’3″ (source: Transfermarkt) but at 19-years-old, he could well have a year or two left to grow.
The centre back was a January signing from Ajax, where he was playing regularly for their under-19 side, and has gone on to establish himself as a mainstay for the Whites’ reserves.
Considering the problems Bielsa has had at centre back of late – Aapo Halme called up to fill the gap left by Liam Cooper’s injury – the Belgian-born defender might well be next in line for a first team bow.
Kun Temenuzhkov
Another striker, former Barcelona man Temenuzhkov – signed from the Catalan giants in January – is the opposite of Dalby, standing at a diminutive 5’5″ (source: Transfermarkt)
However, his height does not define his play and he is another forward who has proven himself to be a real talent for the under-23s.
He would be something of a left-field call up considering Dalby and Edmondson’s form but if it is a poacher that the manager wants, then there is nowhere else to look and he is doing enough to get Bielsa’s attention.