Leeds United have high hopes for winger Ian Carlo Poveda, and he has now been hailed by Blackburn Rovers boss Tony Mowbray.
The Whites swooped to sign Poveda from Manchester City in January 2020, recognising his considerable potential.
Poveda, 22, hasn’t exactly been a regular with Leeds though. More than two years on from his arrival, Poveda has only played 20 games for Leeds.
Last summer, the Whites chose to loan Poveda out to Blackburn Rovers in order to give him some first-team exposure.
One goal and two assists in eight games was’t bad for Poveda, but disaster struck for him in November.
Poveda suffered a fracture and ligament damage to his ankle, ruling him out for months.
Three months on from his injury, Rovers boss Tony Mowbray has offered an update on Leeds loanee Poveda.
Mowbray claims that Poveda isn’t too far away from a return, but it’s still no sure thing that he will be back by the end of the season.
Mowbray added that Poveda is a ‘big talent’, clearly holding him in high regard despite a frustrating season.
One thing to factor in here is that Rovers may well have a Championship playoff campaign coming up at the end of the season.
That gives Poveda a little longer to get himself back fit and firing, potentially playing a key role in Rovers’ promotion push.
Poveda would then return to Leeds this summer, where playing first-team football may not be easy to come by.
Leeds have a host of other wingers in Jack Harrison, Daniel James, Raphinha and Crysencio Summerville.
Raphinha and Summerville have been linked away though, and Poveda may have hopes of replacing one of them if they leave.
This hasn’t been an ideal season for Poveda, but Mowbray is right – he’s a big talent with a bright future ahead if there are no long-term injury issues.
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