Reliable journalist: Bielsa blocks Jan loan as 18y/o striker on brink of first-team breakthrough
According to Wales Online journalist Tom Coleman, 18-year-old Leeds United striker Sam Greenwood will be going nowhere this January, despite being linked to a host of Championship clubs, including Cardiff.
Described as one of the “hottest young prospects” at the club, the report goes on to say that Marcelo Bielsa “personally insisted” that Greenwood should stay and that he is close to a first-team breakthrough.
“In any case, it seems the former Sunderland and Arsenal academy star won’t be going anywhere this January,” wrote Coleman, “with Whites boss Marcelo Bielsa understood to have personally insisted that Greenwood stays to fight for a first-team place, having already told the youngster that he isn’t too far away from a meaningful breakthrough at senior level.”
Next big thing?
We’ve been really impressed with Greenwood in the Under-23s this season, where he’s scored six goals in eight appearances.
He’s linked up brilliantly with Joe Gelhardt, another young striker that Leeds spent a lot of money on in the summer.
Greenwood cost over £1m when Leeds signed him from Arsenal and we know Gunners fans were not happy to see him go.
It seems his time in the Under-23s has now convinced Bielsa that he’s ready for the first-team and that will be particularly exciting for Leeds fans.
In fact, we think his first-team bow might come very soon, with Bielsa set to name a very heavily changed line-up for the FA Cup clash against Crawley Town this weekend.
We’re expecting to see Greenwood in action but it sounds like a regular first-team spot isn’t too far away.
In other Leeds United news, ‘I watched the whole game’ – John Motson delivers surprise Leeds verdict after 3-0 loss v Spurs