Drameh’s last dance?
Leeds United have a major dilemma on their hands at right-back. They have three players justifiably expecting regular minutes in the starting line-up and none of them makes for an easy exit.
Rasmus Kristensen has only just arrived for an eight-figure fee and currently holds the first-choice slot, while Luke Ayling is vice-captain and one of the most important voices in the dressing room, then Cody Drameh is considered one of the best young right-backs in the country.
It’s a very tough situation for Jesse Marsch to resolve and it should not be an easy decision if Drameh is the one who’s moved on, either on loan or permanently, next month. The 21-year-old trained superbly in Spain and testing him in friendlies like this must be tempting for the head coach.
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Injury comebacks?
Illan Meslier, Junior Firpo, Robin Koch, Patrick Bamford, Crysencio Summerville, Kristoffer Klaesson, Diego Llorente and Sonny Perkins all had question marks hanging over them after the Spain trip. How many, if any, are back in contention tonight will be of interest to those panicking about Manchester City preparation.
For what it’s worth, Llorente and Perkins were at least spotted playing a full part in this week’s training video. Koch and Summerville were seen in the gym, but proved conspicuous by their absence from the pitch footage.
World Cup heroes to return?
One of the bigger surprises of the club's montage was the return of Kristensen and Brenden Aaronson to full training on the grass. After taking some downtime following the tournament there was some expectation they may be built up gently upon their return.
You would have to consider that pair in contention for minutes from the bench at the very least, though Tyler Adams was in Thailand at the start of this week and not seen in the Thorp Arch clips.
A message from Klich?
The frequency and duration of the embraces Mateusz Klich received after full-time in Spain last week made for a poignant few moments. These were not goal-appreciation hugs and the coincidence of the subsequent transfer rumours last weekend all paint a clear picture.
Monaco and Man City will visit Elland Road before the January transfer window opens, so there may be nothing too pointed from the Pole on Friday night. All eyes will be on the promotion hero and cult figure nonetheless.
Roca’s partner?
Last week, Adam Forshaw said himself, the obvious replacements for a suspended Adams on December 28 are him or Sam Greenwood. The former was given an hour in Elche and laboured like everyone else on the night.
Will Marsch be tempted to give Greenwood an audition, or keep his eggs in the Forshaw basket and sharpen up the 31-year-old as much as he can in these friendlies alongside Marc Roca?
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