Leeds United have a new Head of Emerging Talent and he knows a thing or two about the youngsters at his former club.
Following the news that Craig Dean has left his role as head scout at Oxford United and will take up a new position at Leeds United, could the new Whites’ employee quickly recommend a youngster or two that he knows from his time at the Kassam Stadium?
After all, Dean’s role at Leeds is Head of Emerging Talent, and there are certainly some of those coming through the ranks at his now-former employers.
Mallik Wilks is one of Leeds’ most exciting young prospects
One of the very best is forward Owen James, who first broke into the under-18 side when he was just 14 and is now a regular star performer at that level.
This season James has caused all sorts of problems with his direct running and attacking quality, scoring, creating and being an all-round nuisance, and while Leeds have plenty of talented youngsters of their own, they would always welcome more.
James is currently on a two-year scholarship at Oxford and Leeds are unlikely to be in a rush to bring in any more young prospects mid-season.
However, if Dean has been sufficiently impressed by the teenager during his time at Oxford, he could at least make Leeds aware of his consistent performances at under-18 level.
Leeds have Mallik Wilks, Jack Clarke, Jamie Shackleton and Kun Temenuzhkov who are all tipped as future first-team stars. However Dean would not be doing his job if he did not open their eyes to potential alternatives and it will be interesting to see if any of Oxford’s next generation ultimately make their way to Elland Road.
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