Leeds United have always had a strong academy, with players such as Archie Gray and Kalvin Phillips making their way through the ranks at Thorp Arch.
Indeed, these players have since gone on to play for Premier League sides but the fact they came from the West Yorkshire outfit says all you need to know.
Charlie Crew and Luca Thomas seem to be the next candidates in line for a first-team shot in terms of graduates from the academy.
Daniel Farke may have many youngsters to choose from to help fulfil his squad but that doesn’t stop them from looking elsewhere to bolster their youth ranks.
Bristol Rovers starlet Kofi Shaw has recently been linked with a move [Alan Nixon, 29 September] to Elland Road with many clubs already going to watch him play.
Leeds United in transfer hunt for Kofi Shaw
Leeds’ midfield ranks are already fairly stacked. Ilia Gruev and Ethan Ampadu have taken up the main roles again, keeping both Ao Tanaka and Joe Rothwell sidelined.
The former of the two arrived in West Yorkshire for a “bargain” fee but only played a part in Leeds’ 3-0 win against Coventry as Ethan Ampadu was forced off injured [The Athletic, 5 September].
With the captain now confirmed to be out until January with that issue, more depth may be needed moving forward at Elland Road.
Crew already plays a similar role to that of Shaw but adding the youngster to their ranks could make their under-21 midfield near-impossible to break down.
The 17-year-old has already made his first-team start for the Gas this season and although he’s yet to score in League One, his talent is evident to see.
Of course, the transfer window is still a fair distance away and things could quite easily change before then but, if Farke were to sign Shaw, it feels like it would be a stellar acquisition.
