Mark Jackson believes Sam Greenwood is growing in a number 10 role for Leeds United’s Under-23s after scoring against Everton’s academy side on Monday night, via Leeds Live.
The Whites’ development side lost 4-2 at Southport’s Pure Stadium after letting a two-goal advantage slip away in the second-half. Amari Miller and Greenwood moved Leeds into a commanding position, but the Whites collapsed after the break.
Leeds’ earlier efforts pleased Jackson, as the U23s boss felt his side executed the game plan well. Greenwood’s goal formed part of his initial optimism against the Blues, by arriving in the box from his new deeper role late to net his fourth Premier League 2 goal this term.
Greenwood also assisted from a midfield role against Blackburn Rovers’ U23s last month, and the striker is delighting Jackson with his continued improvements from a deeper role.
“Sam, in that number 10 position, he’s really growing into it,” Jackson said. “Players need to play multiple positions, we know that. And it just felt right that in the first-half, with the personnel we had on the pitch, we thought it would be more [impactful] to have Amari as a nine and Sam making them runs forward. He got his goal from arriving late into the box. So, like I say, there were elements to our play which we executed well in the first-half.”
Should Leeds develop Greenwood as a number 10 or nine?
Greenwood developing his ability to play as a number 10 and nine could help his first-team chances at Leeds. Marcelo Bielsa has shown throughout his time at Elland Road so far that he likes players to offer adaptability.
Scoring against Everton and assisting against Blackburn shows Greenwood can play deeper for Jackson’s U23s Leeds side. He has also netted as a recognised centre-forward against Tottenham Hotspur, Derby County and West Ham United’s U23s this season.
Greenwood will likely be knocking on the door for further first-team chances at Leeds soon after his debut last term. Bielsa awarded the 19-year-old his senior bow from the bench at Crawley Town in the FA Cup in January. But is yet to build on those 32-minutes in defeat.
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