Leeds United: Darko Gyabi reality laid bare after Elland Road development on Thursday
Darko Gyabi started for the under-21 side on Thursday [28 September] in a further sign that his future likely lies away from Leeds United.
Gyabi was included in Michael Skubala’s XI for the Premier League International Cup fixture with Nice at Elland Road, along with the likes of Lewis Bate and Charlie Crew.
The 19-year-old has now been part of the U21 squad for their past three matches, with his most recent appearance for the senior side coming against Ipswich Town on 26 August.
In fact, since those few seconds on the field at Portman Road, Gyabi has only been included in a matchday squad once by Daniel Farke, coming as an unused substitute against Sheffield Wednesday.
Given there was strong talk of Gyabi being loaned out in the summer, with Fleetwood Town supposedly eager to strike a deal [The Athletic, 1 September], it now looks certain the youngster will be heading away from Yorkshire in January.
There was a lot of hype surrounding the teenager when he arrived from Manchester City last year in a deal reported to be in the region of £5million, with the Premier League heavyweights reluctant to let him leave.
But he has struggled to nail down a place in the side and that does not look like changing any time soon under Farke.
Gyabi was on target for the U21s against Colchester United earlier this month, but it surely would have suited both the player and the club more had he been loaned out in the summer.
As it is, he is now left waiting for the window to reopen, at which point Leeds cannot afford to make the same mistake again.
The England U20 international may yet develop into a great player, but that will not happen until he is given first-team exposure.
In other Leeds United news, an author used the Whites as an example as he took aim at Tottenham for a statement released on Thursday [28 September].