Opportunities await Cody Drameh in the Championship after his rip-roaring half-season with Cardiff City last season, but Leeds United is where he wants to catch the eye. As reported several weeks ago, the right-back is currently set on remaining at Elland Road beyond the end of the transfer window.
The 20-year-old is not shying away from the fight with Rasmus Kristensen and Luke Ayling for starts in Leeds white. Drameh knows he has to catch the eye at every opportunity in order to push Jesse Marsch into a decision that keeps his two senior choices on the sidelines.
Drameh reportedly impressed in Monday’s Premier League 2 draw with Norwich City at Thorp Arch, but there’s a bigger chance on the horizon for the former Fulham man. Barnsley’s visit to Elland Road on August 24 is sure to be a night Marsch rings the changes.
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With a bigger, hopefully fitter, squad, the head coach has to manage his roster through the cramped schedule at the end of the month. With Ayling still a few weeks from contention, Drameh has to hope that will be a first-team opening for him.
Crucially, Kristensen is still establishing himself with the Whites. The Denmark international will need time to find his best form after a summer move and Marsch will trust him enough to give him that space to settle in.
While the former Red Bull Salzburg man is getting his feet under the table, Drameh has the chance to at least put the question in Marsch’s mind and show him he’s worth a go in the top flight. It’s a small window for him too.
Last week, Marsch said: “Still, Junior [Firpo]’s probably a couple of weeks behind. The same with Luke Ayling, although he had a visit to his surgeon down in London, and the surgeon said he's ahead of schedule and looking really good and he just needs a little bit more time.”
A couple of weeks puts Ayling in with the main group as they make their preparations for Brighton & Hove Albion away. Assuming he has no setbacks, that could then put him in contention for Everton at home or, more realistically, Brentford away.
Ayling’s credit in the bank and weight of experience has him ahead of Drameh by default, so the young challenger has this crucial couple of weeks to turn heads among the coaching staff. It’s a tight window to put Kristensen under pressure before he settles down as well as before Ayling returns to contention.
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