Jesse Marsch’s private talks with Darko Gyabi have painted a clear picture for the midfielder’s route into Leeds United’s first team. The 18-year-old only arrived from Manchester City in the summer, but has quickly made it impossible for the head coach to keep him in the under-21s.
While Tyler Adams, Marc Roca, Adam Forshaw, Mateusz Klich and Sam Greenwood may seem like a long line Gyabi needs to hack through, he has been happy with what he’s learned so far from Marsch. He is getting the attention he wants from the American.
”It’s been good [working under Marsch],” he said. “I’m learning a lot off the ball, on the ball, the way he wants the team to play.”
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Marsch’s personal touch and arm around the shoulder has been lauded since arriving in February. While Cameron Toshack’s remit revolves around each player’s personal development, the head coach still wants those one-to-one moments.
“We have individual meetings,” said Gyabi. “He’s spoken to me about the areas I can keep improving and the areas I’m good at, but can make even better.”
The double pivot in the middle of the pitch has become one of the most important areas for Leeds this season. Adams has swept all before him, while Roca has settled in as another astute summer addition.
Gyabi’s experience there had been limited to under-21 action until that debut in the EFL Cup at Molineux. It’s a role he is being honed for by Marsch with clear instructions on what he needs to bring to the table for selection.
“Defensively: being aware of the players around me, trying to win the balls, trying to set up attacks,” he said. “On the ball: playing into the 10s, moving forward with the ball.”
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