Journalist Dean Jones has claimed that Jesse Marsch is keen to improve the young talent in the squad at Leeds United.
Leeds have seen a serious turnaround in form since the introduction of new manager Marsch at Elland Road. The Whites are now four games unbeaten, collecting 10 points from a possible 12 and they currently sit nine points off the drop zone.
There is a crop of young players at Leeds who have been given first-team minutes this campaign, most notably Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood.
Although there is a set of young players at Leeds who have featured regularly in the matchday squad, Jones has claimed to GiveMeSport that the Whites don’t currently have a player that can ‘step up’ when they need it.
He said: “The aim basically is to promote a couple of the young players because there are people that they feel are going to get opportunities, and Jesse Marsch is very open to that and improving players within the setup already. But also, they know that they have to find that added layer of player that can step up when they need it, and at the moment, they don’t have that.”
TIF Thoughts on Dean Jones’ comments…
Leeds United struggled with injuries in the first half of the season, which meant young players like Joe Gelhardt and Sam Greenwood were given first-team minutes. However, it appears that the pair aren’t particularly trusted to deputise in the long term.
Gelhardt has featured 14 times in the league, but 12 of those appearances have come from the bench, whilst Greenwood has featured just three times, with all of his appearances coming as a substitute.
It would seem that with the severe injury problems Leeds have had this term, it would be a great opportunity to play some of the younger talents at the club, but this has not been the case with just two starts between the both of them.
And judging by Jones’ comments, it appears Leeds may well look for added competition in order to boost the quality of the squad.