Leeds United handed a first senior start to youngster Cody Drameh on Tuesday as he started in the Carabao Cup clash with Arsenal.
The Whites fell to a 2-0 defeat against the Gunners as Calum Chambers and Eddie Nketiah found the net in the second half.
Leeds were bright in the first half but ultimately came unstuck after the break as Arsenal advance into the last eight.
There was a major positive though, and that was the performance of youngster Cody Drameh.
The 19-year-old, signed from Fulham in 2020, started at right back last night.
Marcelo Bielsa praised his performance, noting that Drameh is enjoying his best moment at Leeds right now.
Drameh wasn’t immediately at the top of his game, as you can imagine for a teenager making his senior debut at Arsenal.
Sky Sports commentator Rob Hawthorne actually noticed something about Drameh in the first half.
He noticed a reluctance from Leeds players to pass to Drameh, with Diego Llorente and Rodrigo both spotted taking other options.
Pundit Lee Hendrie did though praise Drameh, feeling that his defending was impressive and wasn’t a risk in possession, with Leeds players maybe just looking to let Drameh settle in at his own pace rather than leave him under pressure early.
“There does seem a reluctance on that side to play the ball to Drameh,” said Hawthorne (34 mins). “We talked about Arsenal maybe targeting this side, but Leeds’ own players seem a little wary of putting him in possession in his own half.”
“He’s been really good, he’s defended well, he hasn’t been a risk at all,” added Hendrie.
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