‘Excites me’ – Exclusive: Pundit reacts as Sky Sports claim Leeds on brink of first-team signing
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United…
Paul Robinson has said that he’s excited by the highly-rated young players that are signing and being linked with Leeds United.
However, he said he hoped this wasn’t at the expense of homegrown talent.
Young Wigan striker Joe Gelhardt signed for Leeds on Monday and Sky Sports have said that Fulham defender Cody Drameh is on the brink of a move.
In their transfer blog (Monday, 3.24pm), Sky claimed that Drameh was travelling to Leeds by Wednesday and the deal could be done by the end of the week.
It’s thought that Gelhardt is for the Under-23s while 18-year-old Drameh is being lined up for a first-team role.
Talking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said, “It’s exciting. It’s down to Bielsa in my opinion.
“You see the way the players respond to him and you see the way that players play for him.
“Leeds United in the transfer market under Marcelo Bielsa is a completely different animal – players, like Joe Gelhardt and Cody Drameh, want to come to Leeds and play for him to develop as a player.
“They’ve seen how players have got better under him.
“The one thing I hope is that Leeds signing all these youngsters doesn’t stop boys from our own academy coming through.
“Of course, it excites me that Leeds are competing and young players want to come to Leeds but I’d rather see it coming from our own academy.”
Kalvin Phillips is probably the most successful graduate from the Leeds Academy but the Under-23s have enjoyed a lot of success since Bielsa joined.
There has been a shift of policy this season, with Ryan Edmondson going out on loan to Aberdeen and others such as Jordan Stevens and Alfie McCalmont potentially heading out on loans too.
Leeds are also moving to snap up some the best young talent in the UK and Europe.
In other Leeds United news, Leeds set for another signing as Ajax teenager rejects new contract to join Whites – report