In a little over a weeks’ time, Leeds United will be boarding a flight bound for Australia. The Whites have three friendlies scheduled to take place Down Under next month, with Brisbane Roar, Aston Villa and Crystal Palace all lined up.
Jesse Marsch will have around two weeks of training with his side, too, and he’ll be keen to make his mark on the side as the start of the Premier League season edges ever closer. However, it’s fair to say a number of Leeds players will be keen to make a positive impression and catch the eye while they’re on the other side of the world, too.
Of course, the point of a pre-season is to prepare for the new campaign and every player will aim to be fit enough to hit the ground running come August 6. However, a strong showing in Australia is more important to some members of the squad than others.
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Tyler Roberts will be one man who ought to be on a mission to impress this summer, for example. The Wales international struggled for consistency in the side last season under Marcelo Bielsa and a hamstring tendon rupture just a few minutes into his first outing under Marsch in March effectively ended his campaign.
As such, Marsch won’t have seen too much of Roberts on the field at Thorp Arch and he’ll be keeping a watchful eye on his progression over the coming weeks. The 23-year-old will be desperate to play more than just a bit part role this season and while the signing of Brenden Aaronson only adds to the competition he faces, he’ll be striving to nail down a regular spot.
Given his age and the upcoming World Cup, that’s exactly what he needs and he has the ability to earn a place in Marsch’s thoughts should he prove his worth in the game time available to him next month.
Rodrigo can count himself to be in a similar boat, too, after a difficult campaign at Elland Road. The forward was a source of frustration at times last season and he’ll surely be fired up to find form in a white shirt.
He has heaps of experience and Marsch will hope to see him put that to good use by leaving last year behind him and relishing the challenge of kicking on over the coming weeks. Rodrigo hasn’t been selected for Spain since November, but is still on Luis Enrique’s radar and should he start the season well he could earn a spot on the plane to Qatar this autumn.
Ian Poveda and Crysencio Summerville are amongst those hoping to shine in Australia for a lightly different reason. The pair have reached pivotal points in their respective careers and they know how important a strong pre-season showing could be in terms of status within the squad.
Leeds aren’t short of options on the wing, but both players have the opportunity to at least establish themselves in Marsch’s Premier League matchday squad. Poveda joined Blackburn Rovers on loan last season and he was faring well until he fractured his ankle.
However, at 22, he’s now at a stage where he needs to be playing regularly in order to continue his development and progression. Summerville is still only 20, but he’s someone who has ambitions of reaching the top and he knows first-team minutes are the only way he is going to do that.
For Mateusz Klich, who is still to return to training after representing Poland earlier this month, the trip Down Under could be an opportunity to make a direct point to Marsch. The midfielder played in every game the American took charge of last season, but he was moved in and out of the side and he was regularly the man to make way when changes were required in the middle of the park.
There’s added competition in midfield, too, with Marc Roca arriving from Bayern Munich and a Kalvin Phillips replacement on the agenda, too. As such, Klich will be challenged to step up and retain his role within the side this summer.
He’s been training over the off-season, according to his social media, and he’ll be ready to hit the ground running when he re-joins the team next week at Thorp Arch, knowing Marsch will be watching closely.
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