Leeds United are lucky to have Ronaldo Vieira.
Leeds United sold Lewis Cook in 2016 and are stuck watching on as the young talent predictably earned an England call up.
Cook is a sensational midfielder who captained the Three Lions to under-20 glory last summer and has now earned senior honours.
Leeds backed themselves into a corner by failing to tie Cook down to a new contract, and sold him to Bournemouth rather than lose him on a free transfer a year later.
This was during the chaotic ownership of Massimo Cellino, and new owner Andrea Radrizzani has learned already from his predecessor’s mistake.
Leeds have long been blessed with academy talent, and as soon had Cook departed, youngster Ronaldo Vieira forced his way into the first team picture.
After being handed his first team debut at 17 on the last day of the 2015/16 season by Steve Evans, Garry Monk immediately made him part of the club’s post-Cook identity.
Vieira has continued where Cook left off, starring in midfield and adapting instantly to Championship football.
Like Cook, Vieira has been honoured by England at youth level, starring for the under-20s at the Toulon tournament and he has become a regular at this level.
Leeds are right to be confident that Vieira can go and follow Cook into England’s senior squad in the future, but this time they are managing the situation smartly.
Radrizzani made it his first piece of business after buying out Cellino to hand Vieira a long term contract.
He signed a four year extension in the summer taking him up until 2021, and Leeds are determined to keep him around.
The 19-year-old’s profile will only increase if Leeds can win promotion to the top flight during this time, and the Whites have a big future star at their disposal.
They are lucky to have an immediate chance to re-write the blow dealt by Cook’s departure, and are showing that lessons have been learned.
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