Leeds United have plenty of important decisions to make heading into next season and the future of young right-back Cody Drameh will be high on the agenda. The Whites ownership and managerial vacancy at Elland Road will be the number one priority this summer, but after impressing in the Championship with Luton Town last season, Drameh will be need assurances over game time.
The Hatters remain keen on signing the 21-year-old on a permanent deal while Vincent Kompany's Burnley are also reportedly keen on his signature next season. With Luke Ayling and Rasmus Kristensen ahead of him in the pecking order, Drameh looks set to stake his claim in pre-season.
Prior to his loan move to Luton Town, Jesse Marsch said there was no doubt Drameh had a future at Elland Road. The former Whites boss said: "Yes, I see no doubt a future here for him. He and I, I think, have formed a pretty strong relationship over the last eight months.
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"If I go back to the time I first met him and he was very dissatisfied about coming back, he kind of expressed that he didn't think this was going to be right for him. But over time, us getting to know each other and him being a part of what we've been building here, I think he sees his potential here, the potential of what we're doing here as a club, I think he's a lot more excited about the possibility of the long-term commitment and project could be like.
"I told him when he left that it was unfortunate that we didn't have, with both Luke [Ayling] and Rasmus [Kristensen] now, that we just didn't have more opportunities for him to develop right here, right now with us, because in many ways I think he's ready for those challenges. But, we were also very clear with each other that we thought he goes to a club that's pushing for something, that challenges him in a lot of ways.
"I think as a person, he's developed a lot in the last eight months and he's ready to put that to the test at a higher level than even being at Cardiff last year. By the way, a lot of clubs were interested in him and it was just trying to find the right challenge for him, so that when we see each other again in June - we'll be in contact, I made sure to tell him that we'll be in contact over the next months - or end of May, that he's ready for more here, that he's improved and grown and ready for big challenges here with us."
However, with Marsch's departure, Drameh will have to impress another incoming boss. One of those linked with the vacant managerial role at Elland Road is current Luton Town boss Rob Edwards.
The Hatters boss helped win promotion via the Championship play-offs, with the Leeds United loanee a mainstay in his side and could reunite with Drameh at Elland Road. Speaking back in April about the youngster's progress and future at Kenilworth Road, Edwards said: "It’s a difficult one to talk about that at the moment,” he said, as per Luton Today. “Clearly we really like him, that’s obvious, he’s playing every week for us and playing really well.
"Of course we are always looking to the future and that’s part of my job as well, along with people I’m working with above and the recruitment team and everyone, but there is a here and a now, and there is a focus on these next few games. That I think is what Cody’s big focus is as well.
"It’s just the here and the now, and the next game and keeping his performance levels really high. I think his future will get sorted out. He’s not going to be short of options if it’s not Leeds, but we’ll see.
"We’ve been delighted with him since he walked through the door. He’s a young player, but to settle into a new club – such a tight-knit group as well – I think our lads will welcome anyone new into the group really well, but he’s settled so fast and his performances are just getting better.
"He is showing more and more confidence, more belief, more physicality in his game as well. He is a young player that has got a real bright future."
Drameh himself has kept his cards close to his chest regarding his long-term future. The young defender is approaching the final year of his contract with Leeds, but kept in close contact with loan manager Andrew Taylor.
“There’s a loans manager called Andrew Taylor," Drameh said. "We just keep in touch. He keeps me informed on how it’s going and just tells me what I can improve, and how my form is. We speak from time to time and they’ve been very pleased.”
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