Leeds United may already have Ethan Ampadu replacement lined up in Charlie Crew
Leeds United have found themselves somewhat light in the centre of the park.
The long-term injuries to Ethan Ampadu and Ilia Gruev have thrown the Whites’ plans off-course and will be praying it doesn’t impact too heavily on their promotion chances.
Ampadu’s injury is set to keep him out for around 10 weeks [Yorkshire Evening Post, 30 September], while a return date hasn’t even been placed on Gruev.
It has opened up suggestions that Leeds could might have a look at the free-agent market to try and provide some back-up to Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell.
While free agents such as Christoph Kramer [Yorkshire Evening Post, 5 October] and Cheikou Kouyate have both been mooted with potential moves to Elland Road, Daniel Farke does not need to dip his toes into the free agent market as youngster Charlie Crew could fulfil Ampadu’s role perfectly.
Charlie Crew is the solution for Leeds United
The midfielder has appeared on Farke’s bench across the season and although he hasn’t yet been given any time on the pitch, the German may have no choice but to use him over the coming weeks.
The midfielder has just been called up to Wales’ under-21 squad [FAW, 3 October] for their upcoming friendlies and has even been called up to the senior side occasionally.
Crew is still only 18 but is one of the more recent academy talents from Leeds to be touted for great things.
Archie Gray made the step up last term and managed to bag himself a Premier League move after just one season of senior football.
Obviously, this doesn’t mean the Welshman will follow the same path but if Farke entrusts the youngster to fill in while Ampadu is out, he could find himself pleasantly surprised.
In other Leeds news, a former Whites goalkeeper has spoken out about his time at Elland Road.
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