Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has once again shown faith in the club’s academy by calling up 18-year-old midfielder Rhys Chadwick to train with the senior squad this week.
The timing is big, as the Whites prepare to face Tottenham Hotspur at Elland Road this weekend.
This move shows that while survival in the Premier League is the top target, the club is also looking at the future by giving youngsters a chance to impress.
Chadwick Gets His Chance
Chadwick is not new to Farke. The German boss already took him on the pre-season tour of Germany, where the teenager trained and played with senior stars.
He has also been a regular performer for Leeds’ U21 side, where his talent has stood out.
The youngster is mainly a central or defensive midfielder, but he can also fill in at centre-back when needed. That flexibility makes him a very useful player for the future.
Fans spotted Chadwick in the latest training video released by Leeds on YouTube, showing him working alongside senior stars.
This is also not the first time he has trained with the first team. He was included before the Fulham game earlier in the season as well.
A Bright Prospect In A Tough Squad
Breaking into a Premier League side is never easy, especially when Leeds already have five senior midfielders all fit and playing. At the moment, players like Sean Longstaff are showing great form.
Longstaff has made more tackles than anyone in the league since August and is also creating chances. Alongside him, there are strong names in midfield, which means Chadwick will need patience.
But with injuries in other areas of the squad, such as Dan James, Willy Gnonto and Lucas Perri, Farke is keeping academy players close in case opportunities open up.
Spurs Clash A Big Test
Leeds are unbeaten at Elland Road this season, with wins and draws against top sides. Now they face Thomas Frank’s Tottenham, who are fighting near the top of the table.
Spurs have their own injury problems, but will still bring quality to Yorkshire.
For Chadwick, even if he doesn’t make the squad, just training with the seniors ahead of such a big match is a massive experience. It shows Farke sees him as part of the long-term future of Leeds United.
Leeds fans love seeing academy players rise into the first team. With the Gray brothers already making headlines, Chadwick could be the next big talent. For now, he just needs to keep working hard, learn from the likes of Longstaff, and stay ready.
If he reaches his full potential, Leeds might have saved themselves millions on the transfer market.
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