Loads of Leeds United supporters have been discussing if Marcelo Bielsa should be favouring Ryan Edmondson in the absence of Kemar Roofe, instead of backing Patrick Bamford.
The new Championship campaign commences at the weekend, and Bamford is expected to be the striker favoured by the boss. But fans have been discussing an increased role for Edmondson, after Steve Torpey shared his belief that the young Whites talent needs to be playing senior football this season, as quoted by the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Torpey worked with Edmondson at York City and handed the 5 ft 9 forward a role in their Under 18s due to his size and ability, before the 18-year-old moved to Leeds in 2017 over a potential transfer to a top-flight side.
Since joining the Whites, though, a route into the first-team has been hard to come by, with Edmondson making one senior outing under Paul Heckingbottom at the end of his tenure and one under Bielsa last September.
Bielsa later placed the York-born ace on the bench against Brentford in October, but Edmondson was not seen again on one of the Argentine’s teamsheets until we travelled to Ipswich Town in May.
Torpey now feels a loan move would be best for Edmondson’s development if a first-team position will not be on offer at Elland Road.
“He’s at that age where he needs to sample men’s football, and if that’s at Leeds, brilliant,” Torpey said.
“If the manager sees him of that calibre, and he can be in and around the first team, fantastic. But I think he probably needs, in my humble opinion, to go [out on loan] and play senior football.
“With the U23s, where he’s scored lots of goals and done really well, is it the same as playing senior football in the League or even at the Conference level? Probably not, especially with the physicality he’s going to come across in the Championship.
Adding,
“His physicality helped. He wasn’t shy, mixed with the group really well, and fit in even though he wasn’t training with them on a day-to-day basis. He could compete against players who were two years older than him.”
Edmondson struck eleven goals in nine Professional Development League fixtures last season, according to Flash Score.
Here’s how these Leeds fans reacted to Torpey’s comments, with some calling for Bielsa to favour the 5 ft 9 ace with Roofe out injured for the opening weeks of the season…
I couldn’t agree more, a loan would do him wonders, League Two or One, perfect for him.
— Dan Drake ???????? (@Drakey21587) July 31, 2019
He needs to be in the first team squad this season or he’ll be off to Barnsley!!
— jamie croft ???????? (@CroftLeeds) July 31, 2019
Hopefully he will get some chances this year but at least he is very well regarded by Bielsa and company, if he wasn’t then he would be elsewhere on loan. Bielsa wants him around the first team style of football and set up. Tougher than most positions to crack into
— MacedonianMessi (@MacedonianMess1) July 31, 2019
think he’ll get it this season. reckon if Bamford doesnt fire the first couple of games Bielsa will chuck Ryan in. could be the making of him
— Matt Vare (@Matt_Vare) July 31, 2019
Hopefully hes gonna get it this season
— Howard Sowrey,Lufc ???????? (@his11975) July 31, 2019
Ridiculous talent this lad. Going to do well for you lot and doesn’t look out of place when I’ve seen him play
— Simon (@spattinson001) August 1, 2019
I honestly think he’d do a brilliant job being in & about the first team this season. He’s a Yorkshire lad and a Leeds fan, so he knows what it means to put the shirt on. He knows where the back of the net is and he’s a beast!
— Jericho Keys (@JerichoKeys) August 1, 2019
I seriously think this lad could bag 20 in a season.
— Burton (@Burton02903257) July 31, 2019
With Roofe injured – Edmondson should be our main striker – he’s in great form and has earned a first team call-up
— Mickus (@l33dsmm) July 31, 2019
Agree, give him minutes and think he then will show he deserve more than minutes.
— Rudi Gerhard Rakner (@BergenWhites) July 31, 2019
Yeah and we need more than 1 centre forward at the entire club who is fit tbf
— Aran Huseyin (@Aran_h1) July 31, 2019
With Roofe out I would expect the lad to be on the bench as a second striker on match days
— Tony Hannan (@tonyhannan) July 31, 2019