Daniel Farke has managed to hand several youngsters an opportunity during Leeds United’s pre-season this summer.
Though Leeds’ squad is in a very good place ahead of the new season, it is certainly looking a little light in some areas and so Farke has plugged in the gaps by including some young players.
At just 15, Harry Gray is among them and has already caught the eye of new signing Joe Rothwell, having come off the bench in both friendlies so far.
Sam Chambers, Luca Thomas, Harry Christy and James Debayo have also been in and around Farke’s side, with the former even getting on the scoresheet at Harrogate Town.
Charlie Crew is there too but was already somewhat considered a first team player having been on the bench a handful of times towards the end of the season.
Rodon impressed by James Debayo at Leeds
Having lost Archie Gray earlier this month, all eyes are now on who could be the next Thorp Arch graduate to properly make the step up.
Crew is certainly leading the race and has already received the green light from Gray, but there are others knocking on the door at the moment, one of which is Debayo.
Debayo was a surprise inclusion in the starting line-up at Harrogate but did not look out of place in the slightest, and has since gone onto impress in Germany, according to Graham Smyth.
Speaking on the latest episode of the Inside Elland Road Podcast, Smyth says it is quite clear how well Joe Rodon has taken to Debayo due to the way he speaks to him on the training pitch.
He said: “The first word he used was composed. He shone a little bit on Sunday during some of the small sided games and possession-based games because he was picking passes through lines and when the ball came to him, there was no panic.
“Debayo seems to have that little presence of mind to pick passes through lines. I like the look of him and thought he did quite well in the game. You can always tell if senior players are having a young player, because they’re encouraging them and you can tell in the tone of their voice if they should be there.
“The way Rodon was speaking with Debayo, and how Farke was too, I think they are all quite pleased with how he’s coming along. Maybe that spot as a fourth centre-back will open up for him.”
Debayo staking claim for fourth Leeds centre-back role
With Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Max Wober, Leeds are blessed with arguably the best set of central defensive options in the league.
Of course, an injury or two would leave Leeds a little light, but it is going to be difficult to persuade anyone of significant quality to come in as fourth choice.
As such, it may well be that Leeds have to promote from within and after losing Charlie Cresswell, Debayo looks as though he could step into the role.
Hopefully he can at least get some minutes in the cup matches over the course of the campaign and take his opportunity from there.
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