Henry Winter: Leeds United’s £1.5million Sam Greenwood a ‘smart investment’
Sam Greenwood proved his manager right at Watford and represents a “smart investment” from Leeds United according to The Times‘ Henry Winter.
The young forward has made two appearances in the Whites’ last three Premier League games and provided an assist in each, featuring for just under half an hour at Vicarage Road on Saturday (9 April).
Manager Jesse Marsch revealed that the 20-year-old has taken on the new tactics since the American replaced Marcelo Bielsa better than anyone in the squad.
Winter wrote in The Times: “In his 23 minutes as a substitute against Watford, Sam Greenwood highlighted what Leeds United’s head coach Jesse Marsch has been saying about the 20-year-old forward adapting best to his tactics since he took over from Marcelo Bielsa in February.
“Greenwood joined Leeds at 18 for a reported initial fee of £1.5 million, which already looks a smart investment (even with add-ons taking it to £3 million). Promising first steps.”
Breakthrough
The former Arsenal youth player looks like he is ready to take the next step and make that fee look like peanuts.
Two assists in two under the new manager suggests Marsch is right about how the player has taken to the new system.
With main striker Patrick Bamford out injured again Greenwood has a chance to stake his claim for a more established role over the remaining weeks of the season.
Joe Gelhardt looked to be the main beneficiary of the absence up front, but his own injury niggles have got in the way.
Greenwood appears to have grabbed the chance with both hands, and with approximately 90 minutes over his previous two outings – both wins – has received the backing of his boss.
The young pair may even get the chance to feature alongside each other, especially once survival is secured, which would provide a tantalising snap shot into this side’s future for fans.
In other Leeds United news, footage captured of one Whites star does not suggest an exit is on the horizon.