‘That’s the dream’ – Leeds 21y/o wants to return from loan and take first-team by storm
Leeds United youngster Robbie Gotts has praised the assistance he has received from Kalvin Phillips as he targets playing in the Premier League.
The 21-year-old is on loan at Lincoln City until the end of the season, and spoke about the hard work he needs to do to break into the first-team at Elland Road.
He spoke very highly of captain Phillips, recognising that he is currently on the same path the 25-year-old took.
Both are academy graduates and Gotts explained he can learn a great deal from his teammate.
Speaking to LeedsLive, he said, “Whenever I’ve spoken to him (Phillips), when you go up (to the first team), he’s like a comfort blanket because he’s done it before too.
“He understands the lads coming in, he’s a role model.
“I have the same agent as Kalvin and some stories I heard when he wasn’t doing as well, it wasn’t easy for him.
“If you look at him now, he kept going and he’s becoming a legend there.
“A mate said to me the other day ‘I hope you come back and play for Leeds again’ and I just said ‘that’s the dream’.”
On the right path
Gotts is a player who is well regarded by pundits and fans, but what is most encouraging is the mindset he has.
It can be easy for young football players to get carried away with success, but that’s not the Leeds way under Bielsa.
Gotts is showing an eagerness to learn and his humble attitude out on loan will stand him in good stead in the eyes of Marcelo Bielsa.
Learning from the Argentine and other experienced players will give Gotts know-how on and off the pitch.
His loan spell at Lincoln will be helping also, as the youngster’s 11 appearances so far have helped the Imps climb to the top of the League One table.
Success on the pitch is very useful for young players, and Gotts’ current experience will help to cultivate a winning mentality.
That may be necessary if he is to break into the Whites first-team, but until that happens he must continue to learn from Phillips and look to embody the professionalism of the England international.
In other Leeds United news, fans have issued a hands-off warning after rumour links PSG to a different youngster.