Leeds fans have been talking about Ryan Edmondson for a while now, as his performances for the Under-23s continue to impress.
And his goal-scoring prowess got him on the radar of England Under-19 boss Paul Simpson, who called him up for his debut on Thursday as a late replacement for Arsenal’s Folarin Balogun.
Edmondson did what he does best, scoring a goal on his debut and his side’s second in a 3-1 win against Greece.
Leeds United posted a video of his goal, a tap-in after a teammate had hit the post, and added “What a day for Ryan Edmondson”.
? Makes debut for @England
? Scores after 55 minutes against Greece
? What a day for @Ryan_edmondson9! pic.twitter.com/wbij6HKlAJ— Leeds United (@LUFC) September 5, 2019
Edmondson now has another chance to impress as the England Under-19 side takes on Germany on Monday.
In the meantime, here are the best reactions to his first goal on the international stage:
Well done Ryan, your time at Leeds will come, keep banging the goals in.
— Martin Hepplewhite (@MartinHepplewhi) September 5, 2019
@chris_fisher90 @FplPaulGee It’s happening ????
— Jamie Abbott (@Jamie_A01) September 5, 2019
Can’t get as much as a sniff of the first team still! ???????????
— Lee J.C.V.D Alder (@Lee6378) September 5, 2019
One fan said that despite impressing and scoring wherever he plays, Edmondson “can’t get as much as a sniff of the first team”.
That’s not entirely true. The youngster has actually made two senior appearances and the last one came under the watch of Marcelo Bielsa. He played 28 minutes in the 2-1 defeat against Birmingham last season but was pretty much crowded out of the action, making no dribbles, not getting a shot off and making just four passes [WyScout].
The Championship is a big step up from the Under-23s and fans will have to trust that Bielsa knows what he’s doing with Edmondson.
Get in Eddo lad. Must be a matter of time before your knocking the door of the first team. Young blood and fearlessness is what @LUFC need.
— Owen Johnson (@ozylufc) September 5, 2019
Give him a chance or he’ll be gone
— Bobby (@LUFCBobby) September 5, 2019
Ryan Edmondson needs first team football at Leeds but I can’t see it happening, was maybe best if we loaned him out #lufc #mot
— LUFC Connor? (@ConnorMOT92) September 6, 2019
Goal and assist for Edmondson, been said before but needs a loan or a chance for us #lufc https://t.co/swzD5sqXOW
— Ryan (@RPlufc93) September 5, 2019
One fan said he can’t see Edmondson getting any first-team football and he makes a good point.
Leeds currently have a lot of attacking options, with Patrick Bamford and Eddie Nketiah battling for the main striker spot. Edmondson will come in behind these two and hasn’t made the bench yet this season, not even for the two EFL Cup games.
Another fan said that if he wasn’t going to make the first team, that he should get a chance to go out on loan.
With the synergy between the Leeds first team and Carlos Corberan’s Under-23s, we’re not convinced that he would develop any better with first-team football in a lower league than under their watchful eyes.
Bradford were interested in the summer, according to YEP journalist Graham Smyth, but Leeds didn’t want to punt him out and they moved onto other targets.
Edmondson has a bright future but he’s only 18. His time will come.