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This article is part of Football FanCast’s The Chalkboard series, which provides a tactical insight into teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…
Leeds officially touched down in Australia over the weekend as they gear up for their pre-season clashes against both Manchester United and Western Sydney Wanderers.
The Whites’ squad is incredibly slim, having picked just 16 members. Not included in that party are a number of first-team faces who have been left behind in order to gain fitness on the training pitch.
Those who haven’t travelled include Mateusz Klich, who is the subject of interest from Burnley, whilst Helder Costa and Jack Clarke have also been left behind.
And with that in mind, it’s now presented a huge opportunity to some fresh faces beginning to enter the first team picture.
On the chalkboard
Marcelo Bielsa may not be in Australia just yet but if and when he does arrive, he could have a huge opportunity to test some of Leeds’ U23 players out.
Last term Jack Clarke was one of the breakthrough players, eventually earning a move to Tottenham before being loaned back, but the four young individuals who are in Australia with the senior team now have a major chance to force Bielsa’s hand next term.
Midfielders Jordan Stevens and Mateusz Bogusz are both in the squad, as are Bryce Hosannah and Clarke Oduor.
Leeds have a number of attacking options so Oduor could find it a struggle to attain regular minutes unless he impresses on the tour. A right winger by trade, he could be on for a similar breakthrough season like Clarke, who plays in the same role, had in 2018/19 if given the platform to do so.
For Bielsa, this is a major opportunity to oversee their talents, but it may also present him with a significant dilemma.
If these young players do well, particularly against United, there should be every reason to give them minutes in the Championship.
After all, there could be openings in midfield if both Klich and Kalvin Phillips, who has also been linked away, depart.
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If they do indeed go, both Stevens and Bogusz could be those to benefit from the individuals coming through the academy at the moment.
The latter hasn’t played for the Leeds first team yet but has experience of senior football in Poland, where he scored five goals in their third tier.
Although pre-season is traditionally about building fitness, it could just spark a predicament for Bielsa if they do well.