Ian Poveda returned to Leeds United for pre-season training a forgotten man. But the winger has impressed the Elland Road club and could claim a role under Daniel Farke.
That is according to Leeds Live, which reports that Leeds have recognised how Poveda has started the summer. The 23-year-old had not featured for the Whites in a competitive game since May 2021. But he is taking his chance to catch Farke’s attention in pre-season training.
Leeds sent Poveda out on loan for the past two campaigns after failing to claim a prominent role. Since moving to West Yorkshire from Manchester City in January 2020, the attacker has only featured in 20 games with Leeds. He further only started in three of those appearances.
Ian Poveda is impressing Leeds United in pre-season training
Farke has already given Poveda one chance to show what he can now produce when Leeds faced Manchester United. The London-born dynamo started the friendly in Oslo earlier this month on the right-wing. Dan James would replace Poveda at the break before losing 2-0.
Further appearances in pre-season could help Poveda secure a place in Leeds’ squad when Farke names his Championship team. While the Whites have noted how Poveda has started the summer with the right attitude and work ethic after spending two years out in the cold.
Ian Poveda had become a forgotten man at Elland Road
Marcelo Bielsa seldom felt comfortable relying on Poveda after securing his signature. While Jesse Marsch repeated his predecessor’s decision to sanction a loan move whilst still at their helm last summer. Poveda spent 2021/22 with Blackburn Rovers before he joined Blackpool.
Temporary transfers to Ewood Park and Bloomfield Road also ensured Poveda’s most recent outing at Elland Road was in April 2021. He played off the bench against Manchester United for one of his 14 Premier League cameos. The winger has never started in a top-flight game.
A broken fibula and ligament damage scuppered Poveda’s time with Blackburn. He played in just 10 games for one goal and two assists. While life on the seaside would return 26 outings in all competitions in 22/23. But Poveda only handed Blackpool three goals and two assists.
Starts were also tough to come by in tangerine as Poveda only opened 12 of his outings with Blackpool. Yet one of those starts saw the forward play to his best potential. He offered one goal and one assist in a 4-1 win over Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup to also receive praise.
Stephen Warnock said on the BBC’s Final Score after the Leeds loanee secured Blackpool a 2-0 lead: “The feet are brilliant from Ian Poveda to draw the tackle in and it’s a great finish.”
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