Izzy Brown is nearing a return to full fitness after a long-term knee injury that has prevented him from playing since February. But where will he play for Leeds?
The 21-year-old joined Leeds on loan for the entire season in the summer. The Championship was side fully aware that he was recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament problem.
Now, the Chelsea playmaker is nearing a return to action. He featured for 45 minutes of Leeds’ 3-0 loss to Birmingham City’s Under-23 side last week.
Brown himself has said that he needs another 90 minutes with the Under-23 side, and then he will be ready to play with the first team again. He has been training with Marcelo Bielsa’s senior side.
But where will the Chelsea star play in Bielsa’s 4-1-4-1 system? Brown’s versatility certainly gives Bielsa options in the final third. Brown can play out wide, in the 10 role, or up front.
Leeds have options out wide, but it is another question to ask if they are firing on all cylinders. Pablo Hernandez has certainly been on fire, but Gjanni Alioski is inconsistent. Jack Harrison is yet to give reasons why he is so highly-rated.
Meanwhile, in the 10 role, Leeds have Lewis Baker, Samu Saiz, Mateusz Klich and Adam Forshaw. The latter two are currently first choice, and are certainly impressing while Saiz and Baker are excellent cover.
Up front, Patrick Bamford is also nearing a return while Kemar Roofe and Tyler Roberts have performed well. It seems as though, then, that out wide may be Brown’s best bet.