Leeds United fans should be very excited about the future. Because right now, the Whites boast a tremendous amount of young talent in their ranks that, if nurtured correctly, could go on to help Leeds claim major success. The transfer strategy of bringing in young players and building the club's under-21s side is starting to bear fruit and the plan put ion place is now clear for all to see.
Take Wilfried Gnonto for example. Leeds pulled off a major coup on deadline day by signing the Italian international for around £4m from FC Zurich.
While Gnonto is just 18-years-old, he has already made five appearances for Italy to date, with the striker earning his most recent cap off the bench against England on Friday night.
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Gnonto's introduction on 63 minutes saw Roberto Mancini's side take the lead five minutes later through Giacomo Raspadori, with Italy going on to claim a 1-0 win over the Three Lions. The young Leeds forward's energy and pace were on full show, despite him only starring in a cameo role.
But the reality is, even if it was a substitute appearance, it is incredibly exciting for Leeds to have someone like Gnonto in their ranks at the moment. He is a player who can get fans off their seat and at just 18, has plenty of potential.
Then there's teenager Sonny Perkins, who bagged a first half hat-trick for England's Under-19s against Georgia in the Young Lions rampant 6-0 EURO U-19 qualifier win.
Perkins made the switch to Elland Road this summer from West Ham and so far has scored a whopping 10 goals in seven games if you include his England youth appearances.
Like Gnonto, Leeds have to get Perkins development right. But so far, the signs are there to suggest they've found a real gem in Perkins.
For most clubs, having two prospects as good as Perkins and Gnonto would be incredibly exciting. But the reality is, Leeds currently boast even more talent in their squad. Joe Gelhardt looks set to earn more first team minutes this season under Jesse Marsch and looks to be a natural at Premier League level.
Darko Gyabi, another summer signing, has also featured for England U19s recently. Cody Drameh is an England U21 international, as are Sam Greenwood and Charlie Cresswell, who is currently impressing away on loan at Millwall.
Then there's exciting Dutch U21 winger Crysencio Summerville, who like Gelhardt, also looks set for more first team minutes this term.
That is a tremendous amount of talent Leeds have at their disposal, and that's without mentioning the likes of Brenden Aaronson, Illan Meslier, Tyler Adams, Pascal Strujik and Luis Sinisterra, who are all either 23 or younger.
There's no doubt that Leeds will have to work tremendously hard to ensure these players all reach their potential. There's also every chance that some of them won't.
But Leeds currently posses a talented crop of youngsters who could really go on to achieve success if things pan out well for the Whites in the years to come.
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