Michael Skubala will take charge of his first Leeds United under-21s match next Friday as the youth side get their Premier League 2 Division 2 season up and running. The Whites will make the journey to Pride Park to take on their Derby County counterparts and we could see a much-changed side to the one that ended last year in relegation.
The likes of Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood and Crysencio Summerville appear to have made the move up to the first-team on a permanent basis now and look set to be involved in the first-team under Jesse Marsch, while Charlie Cresswell has left the club on loan. Nohan Kenneh, Liam McCarron and Leif Davis have also departed, making way for the latest generation of youngsters to emerge through the ranks.
Skubala has started work at Thorp Arch and over the next few days he’ll be running the rule over his group before naming his team to face the Rams. Of course, a lot will depend on Marsch’s plans for the first-team’s Premier League opener with Wolves next Saturday and the fitness of individuals, but here’s how the under-21s could look on August 5.
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Goalkeeper: Harry Christy
The youngster was part of the first-team squad that toured Australia this summer and while he didn’t get on the field of play, the trip will have provided invaluable experience for the youngster. Dani van den Huevel is another option between the sticks, while Kristoffer Klaesson will more than likely be involved with the first-team squad.
Defence: Harvey Sutcliffe, Jeremiah Chilokoa-Mullen, Kris Moore, Leo Hjelde
Keighley-born Sutcliffe was involved fairly regularly at right-back last season and he will be looking to kick on and make that spot his own this season, while Hjelde appears to be the most senior option on the left, if he’s not involved in the first-team that is.
With Cresswell and Kenneh gone, it seems Chilokoa-Mullen and Moore could feature regularly under Skubala this season. The pair made appearances off the bench in the first-team friendly game against Blackpool earlier this month.
Defensive midfield: Lewis Bate, Darko Gyabi
Gyabi travelled with the first-team to Australia this month after arriving from Manchester City and he managed to show plenty of promise despite having a bit-part role to play in the club’s games Down Under. He will continue to train with the first-team and there is a chance he could be named in the squad to face Wolves next week, but there is also the possibility that he could be used in the under-21s.
Bate didn’t make the journey to the Southern Hemisphere, but after making his first start under Marsch in May against Chelsea, he will be keen to kick on this time around. Skubala won’t be short of options in the middle, with Jack Jenkins, Stuart McKinstry and Alfie McCalmont among those pushing for game time.
Attacking midfield: Amari Miller, Archie Gray, Sean McGurk
Gray’s inclusion in the travelling squad to Australia certainly got people talking and while his game time was limited he managed to showcase his potential and it seems he could be involved at first-team level this year. However, if he’s not in the squad to face Wolves, he may be named by Skubala against Derby.
Miller and McGurk look set to be involved regularly at under-21 level this season, too, and they’ll hope to be able to push Leeds towards promotion to Premier League 2 Division 1.
Forward: Sonny Perkins
The forward recently arrived from West Ham United after turning down a contract at the London Stadium in favour of a move to Elland Road. Marsch will have seen him in training for the first time this week and he’ll be watching his progress closely over the coming months.
He’s expected to start the season with the youth side, though, and he could lead the line against Derby next week. There is plenty of competition up front with Mateo Joseph making a claim for a spot by scoring in the pre-season win over Blackpool. Max Dean will also be pushing for a spot in the side this season.
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