Jack Vann has been a regular for Leeds United’s under-18 and under-23 sides, so perhaps Garry Monk should start asking more of him.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
At this stage of the season, it seems extremely unlikely that Garry Monk will want to hand one of Leeds’ brightest prospects a first-team debut. And while that would surely be a wise call, it is perhaps still the time for Monk and his coaching staff to start trying to push Jack Vann.
Vann is an extremely talented centre-back, who could well have a bright future ahead of him in the Leeds first-team if he realises his potential.
The 18-year-old is a regular starter in the youth teams at Elland Road, and was included on the bench for the shock FA Cup defeat to Sutton United in January, so appears to be on Monk’s radar at Thorp Arch.
But with Leeds looking to build upon what has already been an expectation-surpassing campaign for the club, Vann will know that the next few months may be the perfect, and perhaps only, time to send a message to his manager.
Leeds currently boast three natural centre-back options in the senior squad, and while their ranks will need bolstering no matter how impressive Vann is in coming months, the amount of improvement he makes may influence how many new defenders Monk signs.
With Leeds seemingly no longer a club where the only positives that can be taken out of a largely miserable season are the academy graduates that make an impact in the first-team, Vann will know that the club’s progress may make his job of breaking into the senior side much tougher.
So while a first-team debut may be unlikely this season, now is the time for Vann to start really proving on the training ground that he can be the next academy starlet to make the grade at Elland Road, before he misses the boat.
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