Sam Greenwood might have played his last Leeds United game after latest Michael Carrick comments
Amid all the chaos at Leeds United during the summer transfer window there was one move that went a little bit under the radar.
That move involved Sam Greenwood and the sanctioning of a season-long loan deal to Championship rivals Middlesbrough.
Greenwood has 25 Premier League appearances to his name for Leeds – albeit only four as a starter – and there was a feeling that their relegation into the Championship might afford him more game time.
But it is undoubtedly true that the Whites have a plethora of attacking options, with Georginio Rutter, Joel Piroe, Crysencio Summerville, Dan James, Patrick Bamford, Willy Gnonto, Ian Poveda, and Jaidon Anthony all in the squad, while Mateo Joseph is knocking on the first-team door.
So, it was a move that actually made sense, and Greenwood has scored four goals in 13 Championship outings for Boro (eight as a starter), as he looks to get regular first-team football nailed down for the foreseeable future.
What is surprising is that there is a purchase option agreed between the two clubs, which TeesideLive reported is worth £1.5million, a sum that seems a little low for a player with plenty of potential.
There is the added complication that the player himself needs to agree to a full deal, but quotes from Carrick on Greenwood – reported by TeesideLive (6 December – suggest there may be a willingness to make it permanent.
“I’m delighted for him. I always enjoy seeing players who have got their potential thriving and growing. We try to give them a platform to do that and Sam has been terrific,” Carrick said.
“He’s played a bit of football but is still in the early days of his career, so to come in and develop so quickly – and we can all see what he offers to the team, along with his attitude and how he helps the team – he’s been absolutely first class.
“He’s another one where there is still loads more to come as well, which is really encouraging. I really enjoy seeing the boys grow and develop and, just as importantly, enjoying themselves as well.”
The fact that Greenwood is enjoying himself and is described as “first class” by his manager suggests there is a good working relationship with manager, player, and club.
And with opportunities at Leeds going to be scarce even if he were to return, then it is hard to see Greenwood being a long-term regular.
It all points to the fact that Greenwood has probably played his last game for Leeds.
In other Leeds United news, one Blackburn figure has been hit with a ban ahead of this weekend’s contest.