Cody Drameh shares Marcelo Bielsa tactical advice and why he pushed through Leeds United exit
Cody Drameh’s success on loan at Cardiff City has been influenced by the guidance he received from Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa.
The young Whites full-back pushed through a January loan move to the Championship side and has performed strongly so far, by implementing his parent club’s feedback to increase the aggression in his play.
United boss Bielsa did not want the 20-year-old to leave during the window but his head was turned by how much Bluebirds manager Steve Morison wanted him.
Drameh said in the club programme for the match against Coventry tonight (February 15), via Wales Online: “Some of the stuff you see on the pitch from me is definitely from Marcelo Bielsa and his coaching staff.
“Their feedback was for me to be more aggressive and play on the front foot and I think the manager here has brought the best out of me since I’ve been here.
“His desire to get me in was the main reason that I came here.
“As a player, you always want to feel wanted and it seemed like the perfect place for me to come and play.
“The emphasis has been on being positive and wanting to attack and he’s filled me with a lot of confidence to go and express myself.”
Long-term gain
It may have come as a blow to Whites fans and their manager when the England U21 international forced his loan move last month.
Elland Road has been beset by injuries all season and seeing another player leave would have increased the stress levels of many.
But as long as they do not end up being dragged into a relegation battle and can welcome back Drameh next season the move should be a net-positive.
This year has more or less been a write-off in Yorkshire thanks to the damage injuries have done to the manager’s plans, in what was always likely to be a challenging second season back in the top flight.
So if the primary objective of survival can be achieved, the first-team football and development the right-back has gained in Wales should be very useful.
An excellent assist for fellow loanee Jordan Hugill in the 4-0 victory over Peterborough was an example of what he can do, running from his own half to cross, which Leeds fans would very much be looking forward to.
In other Leeds United news, Beren Cross has shared his views on the “hard to accept” decision to turn down Donny van de Beek in January.