Leeds United duo Max Dean and Jeremiah Mullen impressed during their convincing victory in the Premier League 2 division on Monday night.
The Whites’ U23s side cruised to an emphatic 3-0 victory over Liverpool, which saw both players start and play almost every minute, with Dean taken off in the latter stages.
Dean was able to convert from the penalty spot in the final minutes of the game to seal the victory and the points for Mark Jackson’s side.
Leeds went into the game with Liverpool six points ahead of them in the standings, but with Mullen playing a big role at the back, Jackson’s side were able to hold the Reds to a blank at Elland Road.
As the Whites climbed up the table from second-bottom to 11th, could the impressive performances of Dean and Mullen have an effect on Marcelo Bielsa and his first team?
Centre-back competition?
Liam Cooper has made 15 appearances in the Premier League this season for the Whites, but he has been missing from the squad since December.
The 30-year-old defender has been out through injury and is not expected to return until March as a result of the hamstring issue he has sustained.
In Cooper’s absence, Bielsa’s side have been unable to keep a clean sheet, with 18 goals conceded in their last six league games without the Scottish centre-back.
Mullen was hailed for his defensive solidity against Liverpool on Monday as well as his ability to pick out a pass. But is it too early for Bielsa to give him a shot in the Premier League?
Of course, the likes of Charlie Cresswell, Robin Koch, Pascal Struijk and Diego Llorente are all fighting for a place at the heart of the defence currently, so it would take a lot for him to force his way in out of nowhere.
However, all four of the defenders mentioned above have spent time on the sidelines at different times already this season, so you can never quite rule out the possibility of another call-up for a youngster if an injury crisis occurs again – especially as Joe Gelhardt has already benefitted from Bielsa’s openness to youth this season.
The new Alan Smith?
Alan Smith came through the ranks at Leeds United to earn himself a spot in the first team, which saw him net 38 goals in the Premier League alone.
And Dean is certainly showing signs of potentially becoming the next to move up from Jackson’s U23s into Bielsa’s first team given the start to the campaign he has had at youth level.
Interestingly, Dean and Smith could both play out wide or up front having come featured for the academy.
The goal on Monday night was Dean’s fourth of the campaign in the Premier League 2, but he is yet to receive a call-up from Bielsa to his matchday squad.
Leeds have struggled in front of goal this season and have also suffered from injuries to Jamie Shackleton, Kalvin Phillips and Adam Forshaw.
With this in mind, is it time for Bielsa began to introduce the 17-year-old to the matchday squad, or is it still too early for the youngster?
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