Adam Pope tells Leeds United to play Charlie Crew as free transfer claim made
Adam Pope has advised Leeds United to give Charlie Crew a chance instead of buying a free agent to strengthen their midfield.
The Yorkshire-based club have been forced to enter the free agent market after Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev were sidelined with long-term injuries.
Cheikhou Kouyate, Francis Coquelin and Josuha Guilavogui have all been linked with a move to Elland Road over recent weeks [BBC], with Daniel Farke “adamant” he wants a new addition.
However, Pope has said that Crew should not be underrated, opining that the 18-year-old deserves a chance in the first team.
“Let’s not underrate Charlie Crew either. He’s part of the Welsh setup now, he’s been part of the first-team setup a little while here”, Pope said live on BBC Radio Leeds (22 October, 18:12).
“We don’t know what it’s going to be like when he steps up, but he’s a really capable individual and there’s a lot of ability when we’ve seen him play for the [Under] 21s.
“But, I think to ask him to step in for say ten games or something if somebody got another long-term injury would be a lot, but that’s why you have an academy isn’t it and that’s why you trust it.
“So, I would love nothing more than it to be for Charlie Crew to step up rather than bring somebody else in.”
Giving Charlie Crew a chance is worth a shot for Leeds United
As Pope said, promoting Crew before deciding on a free agent signing is definitely worth a shot for Leeds United.
Although the teenager is yet to make his first team debut, he has been a regular presence in matchday squads this season which is a testament to his abilities.
It is also worth noting that the defensive midfielder also made his senior debut for the Wales national team in a 0-0 friendly draw with Gibraltar in June this year [ESPN].
The Whites have a reputation for developing young talent and this is perhaps the right time to give Crew his moment to shine.
Moreover, the Elland Road outfit cannot be sure about the fitness levels of the free agents they are targeting, as seen with Kouyate’s case.
MOT Leeds News understands that the club pulled the plug on signing the Senegalese after he failed the second part of his medical.
Like Kouyate, Coquelin and Guilavogui are also in their 30s and have been unemployed since their contracts with their previous employers expires in the summer.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites could be hit by a financial “disaster” as an ex-star speculates a “big hit”.
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