Well, we can put all this talk to bed for the next few months at the very least.
Although what happens beyond that is going to be quite the mystery, especially given how up in the air his status is.
The club confirmed on Monday that U23 star Ryan Edmondson is to sit out the next three months having undergone knee surgery to repair a problem that he picked up in training last week. Now anyone who is a regular to this site will know how big a fan I am of Edmondson, so I’m disappointed that he’s set to be out for some time.
Given the time frame of the U23 side’s season, I think it’s unlikely that he’ll play until next campaign, and that’s really the point I want to talk about. And that’s has he played his last game for Leeds United?
A few weeks ago during a Q&A on The Athletic, journalist Phil Hay mentioned that he doesn’t believe that he has a future at the club, saying that “You’ve seen how many youngsters have played under Bielsa. Anyone who strikes him as being ready gets a chance eventually. I’m not convinced he has a future here, or not under Bielsa. He hasn’t kicked on.”
When he does come back from his injury, he’s going to be going into the final year of his contract which expires in the summer of 2021. And given how Bielsa hasn’t been willing to give him a chance despite the amount of goals he’s been getting at youth level, it’s hard to see him being given a chance in the near future.
So would it be better just to get rid of him and make as much money on him as we can, or do the club extend his contract and kick the can down the road, or just let him walk away for nothing next year? It certainly would be a shame for him to be let go without being given the chance that he clearly deserves based on his academy form.
Has Edmondson played his last game for Leeds?
Yes
No
But the way Hay talks about him, it sounds as if there isn’t going to be much of a chance for him whilst things stay the way they are.