Scant options on the left of defence have proved to be one of the stories of the summer at Leeds United and yet the story could not be more different 25 yards in the opposite direction. The Whites will have a plethora of promising right-back options when they hit their full complement next season.
Luke Ayling may be injured, but he is expected to return to training before the end of August. Meanwhile, the £10m acquisition of Rasmus Kristensen, wanted at Borussia Dortmund, has provided a Champions League-level option to the right flank.
Most intriguing is the situation of Cody Drameh. The 20-year-old is heading into the new season off the back of an electric four months at Cardiff City, where he was named Player of the Season by fans off the back of just 22 appearances.
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The former Fulham starlet’s stock has never been higher and interest in his services is predictably high in the second tier. With Kristensen’s arrival and Ayling’s eventual return, the assumption had been Drameh may take another route out for first-team football, as he did in January.
However, LeedsLive understands, as it stands, Drameh intends to remain with United beyond the end of the current transfer window and fight for his place. There is a resignation Kristensen will begin the campaign as first choice, but Drameh is backing himself to take his chance if and when it comes.
The right-back reported for pre-season at the end of June with the first tranche of players and then went away to Australia on the pre-season tour. His place Down Under was a clear sign Marsch is happy to keep the full-back as a part of his group.
Kristensen’s experience and history under Marsch will make it a tall order for Drameh. In Australia, the head coach said: “Rasmus, he understands me well.
“We worked well together for two years in Salzburg. He understands the tactics. All the new guys have commented on how much they've enjoyed being in the environment of what the team is and they feel the passion and the importance of what the club is.
“Rasmus has integrated himself really well and in two matches performed quite well. We'll need him to continue to push himself and adapt to what we're trying to accomplish here with the team.”
While Ayling is on the sidelines, Drameh will have a clear run at the Danish international and could feature in August’s EFL Cup tie for example. Once the vice-captain returns, however, Drameh has a fight on his hands.
Should game time not materialise for Drameh, another loan in January would be a distinct possibility.
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