Is Leeds United youngster Sam Greenwood ready for the first team?
Leeds youngster Sam Greenwood is clearly a promising talent but is he ready to start regularly appearing in the first-team?
The 20-year-old has made clear progression under Jesse Marsch, and the American is reportedly a big fan of the youngster’s versatility.
Leeds Live writer Beren Cross detailed Marsch’s opinion on Greenwood’s versatility as the Whites manager believes the former Arsenal man does fit into the club’s future.
Marsch said: “First of all, he has a lot of flexibility to his game.
“He’s played six, eight, 10 and of course, he can play as a striker.
“In some ways, it’s not fair to him to try different positions, but he’s an intelligent player.
“He fits within what we’re trying to build within our team.”
The American also revealed how Greenwood’s intelligence and adaptability are also big factors in his talent.
“He’s a hard worker, he’s an intelligent guy, he’s able and that’s the reason why we use him in a lot of positions, because he’s very adaptable.
“He understands tactics and his role and he has big talent.”
Big future for Greenwood?
If Greenwood continues his upwards trajectory, he cannot be far from earning more first-team opportunities, and comments like Marsch’s prove this point.
He is still so young and yet to nail down his favourite position, but a player that tactically aware and that intelligent is a huge asset to a team.
The midfielder, who was born in Sunderland, has made ten first-team appearances since joining the Whites in the summer of 2020 from Arsenal.
The former Sunderland under-18 player, is yet to score for the first-team but has provided two assists, and is a known free-kick specialist.
In addition to his set-piece ability, he is also a pacey player with good ball control and dribbling skills, which further evidences his positional adaptability.
Capable of playing across the frontline or in deeper midfield positions, Greenwood will be looking to make serious strides towards the Premier League side this season.
Nailing down a position and growing as a player will be high up on the youngster’s priority list as it has been seen in football before, sometimes a player’s adaptability can prove to their downfall in the long run.
In other Leeds news, the club have been linked to forward Cody Gakpo.