The teenager is highly rated at Leeds United but has barely featured to date.
Prior to Garry Monk’s arrival at Leeds United, midfielder Ronaldo Vieira was little more than an academy prospect with a headline-worthy name. But soon after the manager’s appointment he put his faith in the teenager and was rewarded with a string of outstanding performances.
Vieira has gone from little known fringe player to one of the first names on the team sheet, and his value has sky-rocketed in the process. So who could be the next in line to break through at Elland Road?
Leeds’ under-23 side had a terrible campaign, but one of the few bright sparks was striker Mallik Wilks and he looks the most likely to follow in Vieira’s footsteps in the short term.
The 18-year-old made his senior Leeds debut this season, coming on for the last 23 minutes of the FA Cup fourth round clash with Sutton United.
Unfortunately the Whites lost 1-0 but Wilks showed enough to suggest he deserves more chances next year.
If the teenager impresses during pre-season, as Vieira obviously did 12 months ago, Monk may have no choice but to promote him to first-team duties, especially given Leeds’ over reliance on Chris Wood.
The Whites will surely sign another experienced front man in the upcoming transfer window. However there is still space for Wilks and it will be interesting to see what the upcoming campaign has in store for him.
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