Rhys Chadwick: Daniel Farke must do right by Leeds United talent this summer
Rhys Chadwick is coming towards the end of his Leeds United contract, meaning Daniel Farke has a big call to make this summer.
The 19-year-old is a boyhood Leeds supporter, and has been in the Whites' youth system for a while.
He turned professional in the summer of 2024, and went on to mark the 2024-25 campaign with a stellar term.
Chadwick scored 12 goals and provided a further 12 assists in 31 total appearances for Leeds' Under-21 side that year, clearly marking him out as one of the club's top talents.
A versatile attacking midfielder, Chadwick signed a new contract with Leeds in January of this year.
Crucially, however, that deal only runs until the conclusion of the 2026-27 season, and so his long-term Elland Road future remains far from certain.
Leeds should loan out Rhys Chadwick
Leeds' academy system is one of the most productive and well-respected in English football.
The Thorp Arch production line of quality young talent is the envy of many clubs, but with the Whites now a Premier League force, opportunities may be growing slimmer for their youngsters.
Indeed, with more league success comes more money and pressure to perform, and with that often comes significant transfer investment into senior stars.
Time may now be running out for Chadwick to secure a first-team future at Elland Road, and so either way, Farke and Leeds chiefs need to make a call on him this summer.
Either they bring him into the first-team fold, giving him extended minutes in pre-season and a place in their matchday squads moving forward if he impresses.
Or, what they probably should do and would perhaps give Chadwick the best chance to impress next season, is to loan him out.
The attacker has shown that he's ready to evolve from academy football, and with no senior experience under his belt, that needs to change soon if he's going to make it at Leeds.
Surely then, spending the 2026-27 season in the Championship or with a top League One side would do him the world of good, whilst also making Leeds' upcoming contract decision a far more informed one.
How well did Chadwick play in 2025-26?
Last season once again saw Chadwick confined to Under-21s football with Leeds, playing 18 times in Premier League 2.
Scott Gardner's side finished 25th of 29 in that division last term, but Chadwick was still able to show why he's one of the top talents in the Whites' youth system right now.
He scored five times and provided four assists from those 18 PL2 games, with his 46 fouls won ranking him in the top 1.3 percentile of attacking midfielders in that league last season, as per FotMob.
Meanwhile, Chadwick also won 91 duels, created 29 chances, delivered 21 successful crosses and made 63 defensive contributions.