Jack Harrison could have been forgiven for entering the World Cup break with a welcome sigh of relief. The Leeds United winger looked visibly short of confidence as the tournament in Qatar approached and his form had suffered as a result.
He missed the Whites’ final Premier League outing through injury and he has since revealed he had been playing through the pain of niggling hip and calf issues for a few weeks prior. Harrison refused to hang his dip in performance levels on that, but undoubtedly it will have been contributing factor, just removing that edge from his game.
It means that Harrison finds himself under a bit of pressure as United prepare themselves for the return of the Premier League campaign. In fact, while he was probably one of the first names on Jesse Marsch’s teamsheet earlier in the campaign, he now has a challenge on his hands if he is to keep his spot and avoid a bench role amid some very strong internal competition.
Crysencio Summerville will surely be involved for the Whites against the champions and he’ll be looking to continue his scoring run following the remarkable form he showed prior to the World Cup. The Dutchman has scored in Leeds’ last four top-flight outings, with last-minute winners coming against both Liverpool and Bournemouth to spring Leeds out of their eight-game winless run in emphatic fashion.
He picked up an injury in the friendly against Elche last week, but Marsch will be keen to see him passed fit in time to take on Pep Guardiola’s side on December 28. Summerville has been one of Leeds’ brightest young players of late, but it’s fair to say Wilfried Gnonto hasn’t been far behind and the Italy international provides even more competition for Harrison.
Gnonto only made his debut at Anfield in October, replacing Harrison in the 72nd minute, but he went on to make a fine first impression and have a say in the winner. He replaced Harrison at half-time the next week and helped to turn the Bournemouth clash at Elland Road on its head with his rampant second-half performance.
The teenager was the man chosen to take the injured Harrison’s spot at Tottenham, but he was replaced at half-time himself as Marsch looked to make changes for the second half. Despite his full debut ending prematurely, he is still in contention for a starting spot in a fortnight’s time and he’ll be aiming to impress in friendlies against Real Sociedad and Monaco this week and stake a claim.
Leeds will be hoping to see Luis Sinisterra make a return in the not-too-distant future, too. He was ruled out until after the World Cup break with a Lisfranc issue and a potential return date has not been given.
However, his eventual return will only give Marsch more options to choose from in wide areas and potentially dial up the competition Harrison faces for a spot in the team. It means that Harrison, who was included on England’s provisional World Cup squad list, must do all he can to cement his place in Marsch’s thoughts prior to the Premier League restart.
That was the case last week in Spain and the hard work must continue this week at Thorp Arch and at Elland Road, with Friday night’s friendly against Sociedad fast approaching. When he’s fit and firing, Harrison is one of Leeds’ most influential and important players, but he is far from guaranteed a spot in the starting XI at present.
READ NEXT:
Mateusz Klich facing Leeds United choice as MLS speculation continues
Jesse Marsch's Leeds United options as Tyler Adams absence poses Manchester City question
Leeds United friendlies provide stage to send Jesse Marsch clear message
Ex-Leeds United talent spotter backed to thrive at Premier League rivals after Whites success
Jesse Marsch's Leeds United objectives as Whites step up Premier League restart preparations
