Daniel Farke was not afraid to hand youngsters an opportunity during Leeds United’s pre-season.
The Whites rounded off a successful summer with a 2-1 win over Valencia at Elland Road last weekend, to make it four wins from as many friendlies.
The four matches allowed Farke the opportunity to integrate four new signings into the squad ahead of Saturday’s opener with Portsmouth, as well as returning loanees Brenden Aaronson and Max Wober.
However, due to the amount of players who have actually left the club during the window, Farke was forced to include some untried youngsters to beef out the squad.
Archie Gray’s 15-year-old brother Harry was one of them, with Charlie Crew, James Debayo, Luca Thomas, Sam Chambers and Harry Christy all also making the trip to Germany.
- READ MORE: Daniel Farke shares what Max Wober told him straight after Leeds United’s pre-season tour
Farke makes James Debayo first team claim
Of the youngsters involved, Crew looks as though he is the closest to the first team given Leeds’ lack of depth in midfield, his new four-year-deal, and the fact he made the bench last season.
Chambers also had a moment to remember with his goal against Harrogate Town, but it is actually Debayo who seems to have propelled himself the furthest.
Following Charlie Cresswell’s exit, Leeds do not currently have a senior understudy to Rodon at right centre-back, allowing Debayo to step into that role.
The 19-year-old has certainly done himself no harm with his performances, and speaking in his pre-Portsmouth press conference, Farke admitted Debayo is someone who has caught his eye.
He said: “I was not sure before pre-season started because as I mentioned earlier with Max Wober, it was doubtful how he would present himself after he came back. We have allowed a few academy products to impress in pre-season.
“James Debayo has, I’m quite relaxed in the centre-back position. If Virgil van Dijk calls me tomorrow and says ‘Boss, I want to join you’, I would think about it. There could be a big injury, you never know. Keeping in mind, Ethan Ampadu can also play centre-back.
“It’s also important when a player like James uses a chance, he has caught my eye in pre-season. To tell you a secret, he’s probably the player I’m most strict with, I’m trying to correct him but it’s always a good sign when I moan at a player. He has earned a spot and rightly so.”
Joe Rodon has taken shine to Leeds teammate Debayo
Though not officially part of Leeds’ leadership group, Rodon is now very much one of the senior figures the younger lads will be looking towards.
Given they play in the same position, there isn’t anyone better at the club than Rodon for Debayo to be learning from.
And it would appear Rodon has taken an early shine to Debayo by the way he was talking to him during Leeds’ pre-season tour of Germany.
The next step for Debayo now is to get some proper competitive first team minutes, and perhaps they could arrive in next week’s Carabao Cup tie with Middlesbrough.
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