‘Really good’ Leeds United squad balance allows youngsters to thrive
We’re delighted to welcome former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson as our exclusive columnist as each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Leeds United …
Leeds United’s low average squad age is not an issue as the team has a “really good balance” of youth and experience, according to Paul Robinson.
Per Transfermarkt, the Leeds squad has an average age of just 22.4 years, the second lowest in the Championship just behind Sunderland. With the likes of Archie Gray (17), Crysencio Summerville (21), Ethan Ampadu (23) and Geroginio Rutter (21), Daniel Farke relies on very talented, but relatively inexperienced stars.
The Championship season can be gruelling, especially for a promotion-hungry outfit like Leeds. Many of these players have never experienced the Championship, while players like Gray only had their first taste of senior football this season.
However, Robinson claims that, with the likes of Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper and long-term injury absentee Stuart Dallas in the squad, the experience is there for Leeds to compete this season, while suggesting the squad has the ideal balance.
Speaking exclusively to MOT Leeds News, Robinson said: “I think they’ve got a really good balance. You need the youthful players and if you’re good enough, you’re old enough that old saying goes. Leeds have certainly got players of that quality.
“How do you get experience if you’re not given the opportunity? Look at Meslier and how old he was when he broke into the side. If you’re not given the opportunity, you’re not going to gain any experience and these youngsters are certainly gaining that in abundance.
“But they have got an experienced spine in that dressing room and through the team as well. Patrick Bamford, you put him in the experienced category, Luke Ayling, Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas, those types of players will marshall the dressing room for the manager, good experienced pros, but also quality footballers as well.
“I don’t think they’re too young. There’s a really, really good balance of youth and experience in there.”
In other Leeds United news, an Elland Road ace has faced a Marcus Thuram comparison as a ‘high levels’ claim made by a journalist.