Leeds United keen on adding to U-23s side this summer
Leeds United will reportedly be looking to add their Under-23 department this summer as they are eyeing players with huge potential.
According to LeedsLive journalist Beren Cross, youth recruitment remains an important part of Victor Orta’s philosophy at Elland Road.
The rise of Joe Gelhardt will certainly be an inspiration for many and he’s encouraged promising youngsters to consider joining Leeds.
He said, “Under [Marcelo] Bielsa and under Jesse Marsch, they trust the youth players and they give you a chance when you deserve one. It’s a great club for young players to be at. It’s shown you will get your chance.
“You’re always under the manager’s eye, so if you did do well in a session, and most of the time the 23s are with the first team anyway, the manager sees it in person.
“It’s good because you can showcase your ability, when at some other clubs they’re at different facilities and it can make you not try because the manager can’t even see you anyway, but at Leeds, as you’re on the pitch next to each other, you’re under the manager’s eye.”
Good policy
Leeds have had to rely on their youngsters time and again this season and they’ve benefited both Bielsa and Marsch.
The reason they could be called upon was due to the work that goes in behind the scenes on a day-to-day basis.
Players are taught how to play the Leeds way and oftentimes these youngsters train with the senior players.
This not only gives them a morale boost but also the opportunity to learn a trick or two from their much more experienced counterparts.
That’s also important for keeping the spirit high behind the scenes and we’re hoping that things continue in the same way.
Like Gelhardt, there are plenty of other youngsters out there who would benefit by being at Thorp Arch.
In other Leeds United news, the Whites are leading the race to complete a major signing and have already opened talks to seal a £25m deal.