Midfielder Nicell was a part of Leeds squad against Sunderland on Saturday.
Leeds United manager Paul Heckingbottom decided to hand Irish teenager Callum Nicell a place on the Whites’ bench on Saturday afternoon as his side mustered a disappointing 1-1 draw with Sunderland.
The 18-year-old has impressed in Carlos Corberan’s second string on a regular basis and with injuries beginning to toll up at Elland Road, Nicell was included in an 18-man squad with Adam Forshaw and Eunan O’Kane sidelined.
Heckingbottom has already shown his faith in youth since replacing Thomas Christiansen in the dugout, with Bailey Peacock-Farrell, Paudie O’Connor and Tom Pearce all being given game time.
He decided to make the decision to give Nicell a promotion onto the bench, but he may need to make another big decision regarding Nicell in the near future.
The Leeds youngster signed a two-year deal at Elland Road last summer, which he means he has just a year to run on his current contract. Heckingbottom, then, should be thinking about offering the youngster a new deal.
The Whites have lost a number of their homegrown talents early on in their careers, the latest including the likes of Charlie Taylor, Sam Byram and Lewis Cook, the latter joining Bournemouth for £10million aged just 19.
So, offering him a new long-term deal, similar to that of Ronaldo Vieira’s four-year contract last summer will not only dispel the inevitable top-tier interest but show a signal of intent – Leeds want to keep their up-and-coming talents.
With Leeds’ season falling into mid-table obscurity, Nicell could be given a chance to shine before the end of the season with Heckingbottom preparing his side to face Preston North End on Tuesday night at Deepdale.
Nicell could well be handed a chance to shine, but Heckingbottom must also consider the Irishman’s long-term future and offer the Ireland Under-19 international a new contract sooner rather than later.
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