Jon Newsome has told BBC Radio Leeds that Sam Greenwood did well when he came on during Leeds United’s loss to Chelsea on Saturday, and noted that his delivery from set-pieces is fantastic.
Leeds are heading back to the drawing board under Javi Gracia. They have lost their two games in London this week. And on both occasions, they have failed to score.
Certainly, all of the attacking players are struggling for form right now. And one of those who has really not been at the races has been Jack Harrison.
Newsome praises Greenwood in Leeds defeat
Newsome had already suggested that Harrison may need to be taken out of the Leeds side for the time-being. And when it was put to him that Greenwood – who replaced the 26-year-old with 10 minutes remaining – could be a possible replacement, the BBC pundit suggested that he has staked a claim.
“I thought Sam did well when he came in. His delivery from set-pieces is fantastic. I think it’s something that we really struggle with,” he told BBC Radio Leeds.
Greenwood is definitely the best set-piece taker in the current Leeds squad. Both Jack Harrison and Brenden Aaronson have been so poor throughout the season.
Leeds fans almost expect their corners to fail to beat the first man. And very little ever seems to come from a free-kick. Certainly, teams have no reason to fear giving Leeds a set-piece around their own box.
But Greenwood does provide that quality from dead-ball situations. Having said that, there is surely a question mark over whether the rest of his game is good enough to justify putting him in the team.
He is not a bad player, obviously. Far from it. But Leeds need all 11 of their players to step up in open play. And Greenwood should not be ahead of the likes of Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie or Marc Roca in midfield.
There is an argument that he should get a chance to start further forward. But that would still be something of a square peg in a round hole after he has spent so long as a number eight.
Unfortunately, it is yet another decision for Javi Gracia to make. And frustratingly, there is no obvious answer presenting itself right now.
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