Over the past few seasons, Leeds have been quietly pulling off a number of shrewd deals for exciting prospects, with Victor Orta behind them all.
In modern football, there is a craving for the present, a desire for every signing to have an immediate impact – there is little patience in this era.
However – in addition to the odd first-team addition – Leeds and Orta have decided to play the long game by hoovering up some real gems, and it’s starting to pay off.
Victor Orta’s £8.5m masterclass
This season, Marcelo Bielsa has suffered a serious injury crisis within his squad.
It has robbed him of a number of key players, such as Patrick Bamford, Robin Koch and Diego Llorente, although a number of gems have stepped up.
Joe Gelhardt – signed for just £1m from Wigan – has broken into the first-team, and notched his first Premier League goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, of all places.
Every time the 19-year-old touches the ball, there is a buzz of excitement from Leeds fans.
In defence, Pascal Struijk – a free transfer from Ajax – has stepped up in the absence of Koch and Llorente, putting in a number of fine displays.
In the 3-2 win over West Ham, the Dutchman dealt with Michail Antonio superbly.
Lewis Bate – a £1.5m signing from Chelsea – and Leo Hjelde, who cost £1m, also shone against the Hammers as they announced themselves to the Premier League.
Add in Orta’s £5m signing of Illan Meslier, and these five wonderkids were brought to Leeds for a combined fee of just £8.5m.
In our view, that is special work from Orta.
Are Leeds the home of the Premier League’s next generation?
This season, the Whites have made Premier League history in becoming the first side to hand debuts to eight teenagers.
Crysencio Summerville, Charlie Cresswell, Gelhardt, Cody Drameh, Stuart McKinstry, Sam Greenwood, Bate and Hjelde have all made their bows in England’s top-flight this term.
With a world class coach like Bielsa at the helm, there’s no reason why these prospects can’t fulfil their massive potential.
In our view, some of these names – like Gelhardt – will rise to the top of English football.
As things stand, Arsenal are being described as the Premier League’s best young side with the likes of Bukayo Saka, Gabriel Martinelli and Emile Smith Rowe in their ranks.
However, if Leeds continues to play their young guns, we feel they will leapfrog the Gunners in no time – their prospects really are that good.
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