Finding a critic of Marcelo Bielsa around West Yorkshire will be a tall order, but the boss is set to disappoint some of the fanbase if he does not give Ryan Edmondson his third senior Leeds outing.
The 17-year-old has been earning their attention through his efforts under Carlos Corberan with the U23s, and Monday night was no different when he scored the young Whites’ third goal against Ipswich Town’s best youth offering.
The win does not affect our Professional Development League North standing, given we have already been crowned champions, but will be a great boost heading into the Premier League Cup Semi Final against Newcastle on April 23.
Before that, Corberan’s challengers also travel to Crystal Palace, where Edmondson will likely be chasing his tenth of the season.
His strike on Monday had to wait until the 75th minute and came in a performance below his best.
Fans wishing to see his efforts rewarded with another first-team outing, though, may have to wait as Bielsa recently hinted the teenage forward needs more experience given the competition for places in the senior fold.
“He’s a very young player,” the boss said, as quoted by Leeds Live.
“[Kemar] Roofe, [Patrick] Bamford, Tyler Roberts are in his position at the moment. There’s a big difference in experience between these three and Ryan, but he has made a good improvement from the beginning of the season.”
Bielsa’s words have not stopped supporters calling for Edmondson, however, with the youngster earning a lot of praise on Twitter…
This is just delightful
— Louisa Wade (@LouisaWade_) April 8, 2019
Better than Bamford
— batesylufc2 (@batesylufc2) April 8, 2019
Get him in the team!
— Ashli Burchill ⚽ ???????? (@AshliBurchill) April 8, 2019
Get him in the bench for Saturday please
— Jim P ???????? (@ParkinMr) April 8, 2019
Get him in the starting line up bench Bamford
— John Evans (@evans1951) April 8, 2019
Put him in the squad, let’s have some competition on Bamford’s mind.
— Jamster (@JamieRo12949481) April 8, 2019
Edmondson or bamford. It’s worth a gamble. ! Were struggling.
— winniedog35 (@kevinwaterhous7) April 8, 2019
Time to trust the youths, they kept us top when a lot of the regulars were injured
— KeithP (@KeithP274) April 8, 2019