James Debayo ready to fill Liam Cooper void at Leeds United after ‘meteoric rise’
Leeds United may need further additions in certain areas of the pitch, but defence is not one of them as a ready-made replacement is waiting in the wings.
Teenage sensation James Debayo has made his mark in pre-season and could grow into filling the huge void left by Liam Cooper after a decade at Elland Road.
The 19-year-old has featured in several friendlies during the summer schedule and is set to compete with Joe Rodon, Pascal Struijk and Max Wober for a place at the heart of the backline.
The words of Daniel Farke will be music to Debayo’s ears, praising his impact as he tells Beren Cross of LeedsLive [9 August]: “James Debayo is definitely one player who has impressed me.
“He has earned his place within our group. For that, I’m quite relaxed at the moment on the centre-back position.
“You never know, if a top player calls me tomorrow, if Virgil van Dijk calls me tomorrow and says ‘Boss, I want to join you.’ I would think about it at least, but so far, so good. I don’t expect this to happen.”
Leeds United ready to call on James Debayo
Leeds have seen plenty of academy players make them proud down the years – tears for Archie Gray are still being held back as he flies the nest – but Debayo could be the latest on the production line to burst into life in the Championship this season.
He may not be expected to start too often, but bridging that gap towards being an eventual key player is a paramount step for him this term in amongst the immense pressure of the fact Leeds simply must get promoted.
For Farke to claim he is relaxed about his central defensive options is a bold call given he will be the first reminded there is very little margin for error in 2024-25, meaning Debayo has thoroughly impressed the boss.
Cross describes Debayo as enjoying a “meteoric rise” in the past few weeks, having only made eight Premier League 2 starts for the Under-21 team last season (although he did feature 21 times in all competitions).
The England Under-18 international has done his progress no harm, and the mentality in viewing his alleged “strict treatment” at Thorp Arch by Farke as a badge of honour is an excellent early sign in what he can contribute.
In other Leeds news, Adam Forshaw opens up on how his contract situation with the club played out.
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