Leeds United’s academy is thriving.
Leeds United manager Marcelo Bielsa has put his faith in the club’s academy players so far this season.
Kalvin Phillips is his most trusted player, while Will Huffer, Jamie Shackleton, and Aapo Halme were among the youngsters to make their debuts.
The Elland Road production line is not stopping. More youngsters are pushing for places and trying to break through.
Here is a look at three players who could make an impression in 2019.
Robbie Gotts
Full-back Gotts has been in Leeds’ academy for a decade and is pushing for a first team call up.
Gotts was included in Leeds’ squad against QPR earlier in the month although he did not quite make the bench.
The 19-year-old began as a winger and Marcelo Bielsa could still look to convert him to play a more attacking role.
Leif Davis
An unheralded summer signing from Morecambe, Davis has already been named on the Leeds bench.
The 18-year-old left-back appears to have been fast tracked by Marcelo Bielsa and 2019 could provide him with his big chance.
Davis’ chances depend on Tom Pearce, who is ahead of him in the queue when fit.
Niklas Haugland
Leeds beat competition from Ajax to win the signature of Norwegian wonderkid Haugland in the summer.
The young striker has been on a scoring run for the under-18s in November and December and is marking himself out as a player who Leeds might not be able to hold back.
He will soon be competing with Ryan Edmondson to push for first team minutes if he starts 2019 strongly.
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