OPINION
There is little questioning that one of the biggest talking points of Leeds United’s season – aside from their hunt for the Championship title – has been the emergence of so much young talent.
From Bailey Peacock-Farrell to Robbie Gotts and everyone else in between, Marcelo Bielsa has not been afraid to show his faith in the stars of tomorrow, clearly demonstrating his position in the ‘If you are good enough, you are old enough’ debate.
The Elland Road faithful will no doubt have loved seeing their youth system produce so many exciting future talents and will surely be awaiting the breakthrough of the next big thing with great anticipation.
Could that young hot shot already be on the scene?
Step forward 20-year-old Mallik Wilks – a man rarely seen by the Leeds faithful during his fledgling career, having made just one appearance for the first team.
The versatile forward, who operates as both a winger on either flank or a centre forward, will not be making any appearances for the Whites between now and the end of the season due to the fact he is away on loan at Doncaster Rovers – and he is making waves at the League One side.
Sunday afternoon (March 3rd) saw him net his 11th league goal of the season against Charlton and his 13th across all competitions – an impressive record for such a young talent.
The problem is that his form should see him handed a chance in the first team next season but fitting him in is no easy task.
Firstly there are the likes of Patrick Bamford and Kemar Roofe ahead of him as a striker while Pablo Hernandez, Jack Clarke, Ezgjan Alioski and Tyler Roberts are just some of those who he has to overcome in the pecking order on the wings.
The fact of the matter is Wilks does not have a clear route to the senior side but his form cannot go unnoticed – giving Bielsa a huge headache over just what to do with the youngster ahead of this summer.