BBC pundit Noel Whelan has backed Jordan Stevens to kick on and make this his breakthrough season at Leeds United, after being called on for the closing stages of Saturday’s defeat at Fulham.
Stevens joined the club from Forest Green Rovers in February 2018, but had to wait almost a year before he would see his name listed among the substitutes for a first-team fixture.
A space on the bench against Derby County in January was followed by his senior debut eight days later away to Stoke City, though back to the Under 23s went Stevens, with the 19-year-old only among the reserves a further five times before Saturday’s trip to Craven Cottage.
Things have been far from smooth sailing for the Gloucester-born midfielder this season, as Stevens was issued with a six-week ban from all football-related activities in September for breaching Football Association betting rules.
He has since begun to put that behind him and signed a contract extension at the start of the month, which keeps the youngster at Elland Road until at least the summer of 2022.
Yet Stevens has still only played 32 minutes of senior football with United, including Saturday’s cameo at Craven Cottage, but Whelan feels now is the moment for our youth prospect to stamp his mark on the first-team.
“Once again it’s nice to see the academy players coming through into the first-team,” Whelan told Football Insider. “We’re going to need them this season because we don’t have a massive squad.
Will this be Stevens' breakthrough season?
Yes
No
“For him, with the disappointment of the betting scandal and being taken away from training and the football ground, this will do him the world of good.
“He is a really good player, so hopefully there’s opportunities there for him as well. I’m sure with injuries and this Christmas period, when there’s loads of games coming up, we’ll see more of him.”
During his 18 minutes against Fulham at the weekend, Stevens managed to record eight touches and completed four of his six passes, but did not register any shots, attempted dribbles, tackles, interceptions or clearances, per WhoScored data.
In other Leeds United news, Bielsa has confirmed that we will be without two rarely-seen talents against Preston North End on Boxing Day.