There was disappointment for Leeds United’s U21s during the week as they saw their Papa John’s Trophy involvement end.
Leeds have been able to field strong sides in that particular competition this season, but crashed out on Tuesday night after a goalless draw with Crewe Alexandra – a game they’d eventually lose in a weak penalty shootout.
Mateusz Klich and Junior Firpo were two senior players able to play in that particular fixture, joining a pool of talented youngsters in doing everything but score against the League Two side.
Whilst there’s the Premier League 2 Division 2 and promotion to still focus on for Leeds, it might be that a number of that U21s group look at the January transfer window as a chance to head out on loan in the search of more exposure to men’s football.
With that in mind, we take a look at THREE we feel might just do that:
Cody Drameh
Unsurprisingly, Drameh tops this list after he orchestrated a loan move away from Leeds last season.
That stint in Cardiff did the young right-back well and you’ve got to think he’s going to want another crack at senior football in 2023.
Leeds have Rasmus Kristensen and Luke Ayling as their senior right-back options, which certainly opens the door for Drameh to head out on loan.
It wouldn’t be a surprise if he forced the issue.
Darko Gyabi
Gyabi has been great for Leeds’ U21s this season, whilst he’s also thriving when he gets the chance for England’s U19s.
He’s a player that looks like he will be eventually good enough for the first-team at Leeds, who might be minded to keep him around for the second-half of 2022/23.
However, with Adam Forshaw and Stuart Dallas to return from injury and provide cover to Marc Roca and Tyler Adams, it might be that Leeds free up Gyabi for a loan in the Championship.
If they do that, it might just accelerate his development to get him ready for whatever 2023/24 holds.
Quiz: 15 questions about Leeds United’s Darko Gyabi – Can you score 100%?
Sonny Perkins
Perkins arrived at Leeds with the hope of getting the first-team football he wouldn’t at West Ham. Of course, he’d have to earn that right in the U21s with his performances, which is a side of the bargain he has held up.
Everything he touched turned to goals in his first few months as a Leeds player, whilst he also impressed with England alongside Gyabi.
Before long, Leeds will have to give him a chance to prove himself in the first-team, on their roundabout promise at the time he signed.
However, to get him ready for that chance in 2023, it might be worth considering sending him out on loan for six months to develop further.
The ambitious England youth international would surely be open to that.
Should Perkins be promoted to the first team?
Yes
No
