Graham Smyth shares classy Josuha Guilavogui gesture after Leeds United move
Josuha Guilavogui “ingratiated himself” with young players at Thorp Arch within a week of signing for Leeds United, Graham Smyth has said.
Speaking on The Square Ball podcast (23 December), Smyth said that barely a week after the former France international arrived in LS11 on a free transfer, he witnessed Guilavogui’s character first-hand.
While at Thorp Arch, Smyth saw the 34-year-old joking around with academy products James Debayo and Sam Chambers, showing a better attitude towards the young players than others in the squad.
Smyth said: “I was down to Thorp Arch to interview (Junior) Firpo, and Guilavogui was laughing and joking with James Debayo.
“This was only like a week after he arrived I think – laughing and joking with Debayo and Sam Chambers, and he was asking why Debayo why he wasn’t smiling.
“He’d already ingratiated himself with the younger end of the squad, that senior players have been known to ignore, almost see as an irrelevance.
“He just seems to be everybody’s mate, everybody’s friend, seems to be a lovely guy.”
Josuha Guilavogui beneficial on and off the pitch for Leeds United
Guilavogui’s arrival at Thorp Arch on a free transfer was greenlit in the wake of Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu suffering long-term injuries, providing cover in defensive midfield and even central defence.
However, the emergence of Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell’s partnership in Daniel Farke’s double-pivot has meant Guilavogui has only been seen off the bench so far, but his off-field role is even more important.
Smyth’s anecdote suggests that Guilavogui, by far the oldest outfield player at Thorp Arch, is helping to bridge the gap between different sections of Farke’s squad, particularly for academy graduates.
The Frenchman has made seven substitute appearances thus far, debuting in the same game as Chambers, with his late cameos often coming when the Whites need to see out a comfortable win.
That was the case against Oxford United last time out, and as the Peacocks’ hectic schedule continues against Stoke City on Boxing Day, don’t be surprised to see Guilavogui providing plenty of support.
In other Leeds news, the Whites will be optimistic that a highly-rated Premier League attacker becomes available in January.
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