Daniel Farke to take note as Reuben Lopata-White gets off to flyer away from Leeds United
Leeds United seem to have taken the best route possible when they made the decision to send highly-rated youngster Reuben Lopata-White to Greenock Morton on loan.
The winter window is always a time when the Whites consider what to do with their Thorp Arch talents, but they don’t always make the right call.
After Daniel Farke‘s discussions with Leeds‘ U21s head coach, Scott Garner, they came to an agreement that it was time for Lopata-White to make the step into professional football.
The centre-back had been excelling for the Whites in the Premier League 2, and though not mentioned much in the fanbase, he now looks to be finding his feet in the men’s game with Greenock Morton.
Reuben Lopata-White keeps consecutive clean sheets in first two senior appearances
Thankfully for the Whites, they seem to have found a club in Greenock Morton that trust Lopata-White to play consistently.
The Scottish Championship will be one of the biggest tests of the 20-year-old’s career, as he’ll have to learn to adapt to physical strikers who won’t be afraid to rough him up.
The Englishman doesn’t look fazed, though, and has gotten off to a brilliant start with the Ton, keeping consecutive clean sheets in his first two appearances.
| Game | Result | Minutes | Ground duels won | Aerial duels won | Rating |
| Greenock Morton vs Dunfermline | 2-0 Win | 90 | 3 | 11 | 7.4 |
| Greenock Morton vs Raith Rovers | 0-0 Draw | 90 | 5 | 6 | 7.2 |
As highlighted by Sofascore, the youth star looks to have taken to life in the senior game like a duck to water, showcasing immense ability in aerial duels and reading the game well to win the ball back off attackers.
From his first two games combined, he is also boasting an impressive 87 per cent pass accuracy, and looks to have all the makings of a top modern-day defensive unit.
He is tied down to Elland Road until 2027, and there is a long-term vision to see him one day become a starter under Farke. The Leeds boss will surely have been informed of his early progress and may be keeping a close eye on his development for the rest of the campaign.
- Read more: Daniel Farke has questions to answer on youth chances at Leeds amid Thorp Arch statements
This is how Lopata-White can break into first team next season
If Lopata-White continues his good form in the Scottish Championship, there is no reason why he can’t be promoted into Farke’s first-team squad next season.
His involvement would obviously be affected by the division that the Whites find themselves in next season, but he’s proving to be a real asset for the 49ers.
Leeds have well-known Profit and Sustainability Rules, and there’s no guarantee that they will be able to spend heavily in the summer, which may mean a reliance on youngsters will be needed.
Pre-season is always a good chance for youngsters to make an impression, and Lopata-White could be headed back to Thorp Arch soon, full of confidence to prove a point.
It would be a bit of a long shot, but the defender deserves his praise for the start he’s made in Scotland.
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