Darko Gyabi’s loan spell at Plymouth Argyle might not have a happy ending, but the midfielder will still return to Leeds United all the better for his stint on the South Coast.
Despite Saturday’s dramatic 2-1 win over Stoke City, Plymouth remain rooted to the bottom of the Championship table. Ryan Hardie’s first-half brace means some green shoots for the green-clad club.
But with only six games remaining and eight wins in their previous 40, if Miron Muslic can inspire the greatest of escapes, dodging the drop would arguably relegate that FA Cup triumph over Liverpool to second on his list of Home Park achievements.
Darko Gyabi played the full 90 minutes as Plymouth stunned Liverpool back in February. A ‘cupset’ for the ages, indeed.
This has been a season full of firsts, really. A first ever victory over a Premier League side. A first season of regular domestic starts. Gyabi made his first appearance for England’s Under-21 team, meanwhile, during the March international break.
Plymouth boss Miron Muslic hails Leeds United loanee Darko Gyabi
Whether there is a place for the one-time Manchester City starlet in Leeds’ plans, only time will tell.
But after the Yorkshire giants sent Gyabi to Plymouth with the intention of turning a boy into a man – Argyle director Neil Dewsnip confirmed that Leeds were not interested in selling the £5 million midfielder – he is set to return to Elland Road a far more confident, mature footballer.
One who, three years into his Leeds career, might finally be ready to contribute something at a senior level.
Speaking recently, the aforementioned Muslic could hardly have been more fulsome in his praise for a footballer who has more than trebled his tally of league starts during the 2024/25 campaign.
“It’s always a little bit tricky for a centre mid to stay aggressive if you have to go in for duels and you are booked early with a yellow card, but that’s a learning process. This guy is just 21,” Muslic told the Plymouth Herald after Gyabi used his new-found experience to dodge a sending off in the 0-0 draw with Watford at the end of March.
“That is why he’s playing so many games. That’s why he’s so many times on the pitch, and that’s why he was also on the pitch against Liverpool and Manchester City [in the FA Cup], just to prove he has this potential.
“I’m happy with Darko’s development and I still think there is way more to come. We still have [six remaining] games this season and he will also show this.”
Joe Rothwell exit could open the door for Gyabi at Elland Road
Only Adam Randell and Bali Mumba – Leeds have been linked with Plymouth’s versatile wideman – made more Championship starts this term than Gyabi’s 30.
Averaging a yellow card once every three games, he clearly still has plenty to learn with regards to his timing.
But as one Wayne Rooney joins Darko Gyabi’s growing throng of admirers, a player who arrived at Leeds as part of the deal which took Kalvin Phillips to the Etihad should have given his parent club something to ponder.
Especially with the likely departure of Joe Rothwell opening up a space in the squad for another midfielder.
Bournemouth want £7.5 million from Leeds if they opt to sign Rothwell permanently. Gyabi might not be as creatively inclined, of course, but Rooney did highlight Gyabi’s ability to ‘drive forwards’ from deep as one of his stand-out attributes.
The sort of ball-carrying, press resistance which has made Rothwell such a useful part of Farke’s roster.
“[If Gyabi continues to develop] he will become a top player in this league,” former Plymouth assistant Neil Shuttleworth believes.
“He’s quite an explosive player, he gets across the ground and he goes and bites into tackles.”
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