Controversy around Cody Drameh’s January exit from Leeds United took all the fuel it needed from Marcelo Bielsa’s parting comments on the right-back’s decision. Malice was never Bielsa’s style, but it was hard to feel Drameh would be immune to the cutting remarks which were made at a time when Leeds were desperate for bodies.
“No, I didn't think he needed to play games elsewhere,” Bielsa said at the time. “He was a player that was very necessary with all the absences we had, but he preferred to go and play outside of Leeds in a situation where the opportunities for the youngsters have increased clearly.
“In this case, Drameh would prefer to experiment outside of our team. I consider that position valid and I don't think it makes sense to oppose him.
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“What I imagined as a great opportunity, he imagined it in a different way and it's more important what he thinks than what I think.” He added: “Perhaps I overvalue the fact you're in a 20-man squad in the best league in the world.”
Whether he intended to or not, Bielsa’s comments made Drameh look like he was trying to get out of Leeds, drop down a division and abandon the squad right when injuries meant they needed him more than ever. The indication Bielsa overvalued a space in a squad playing in the best league in the world was barbed.
Even if Drameh has handled the situation with nothing but class in interviews since, Bielsa’s departure surely makes things look a little rosier this summer. The 20-year-old has done more than play his part in that warm welcome back this summer too.
Drameh has been a revelation in Wales. After just 16 appearances in the 40 Cardiff City have played this season, he has been shortlisted for their player of the year gong.
Steve Morison has waxed lyrical about the full-back most weeks, even confirming promotion-chasing Championship bosses had already quizzed him on Drameh’s manner. In short, the former Fulham defender has got everything he wanted from this loan spell.
Drameh has started all 16 matches he has been available for, completing 90 minutes in all but one of them and made himself one of the best players at the club with barely a third of a campaign under his belt. He will have options this summer.
Crucially, Leeds are in charge though. Barring undisclosed clauses in the contract, Drameh’s deal still has two years to run and Leeds are under no pressure to sell or loan him out in 2022/23.
Constructive talks are surely expected between Victor Orta, Jesse Marsch, Drameh and his representatives this summer. The American will have plenty to say and a clean slate to work with.
Drameh has not burnt any bridges and his performances in Wales will have only emboldened what Orta and Craig Dean, the club’s head of emerging talent, believed when they worked so hard to bring him in from Fulham in August 2020. Drameh is delivering on the potential Leeds have seen and following a pathway to senior football Angus Kinnear has lauded at Elland Road.
Jamie Shackleton, now 22, has had another campaign disrupted by injury and he will be pleased to add anything to the 15 appearances he has made in 21/22 before the season is out. Shackleton prefers playing in midfield anyway, but if he assesses his options this summer and Stuart Dallas looks to strengthen his claim in midfield, Drameh may end up being the man to put the heat on Luke Ayling, on the back of his own choppy season, into 21/22.
