Ryan Edmondson should be desperate for Leeds to sign Abel Hernandez

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Ryan Edmondson made his Leeds United debut on the final day of this past Championship season.

It says a lot about how badly Leeds fans want to see Abel Hernandez join the club this summer that a look on social media suggests that there seems to be as many supporters who want to see a deal for the Uruguayan prioritised as those who wish to see Kyle Bartley return to Elland Road during this window.

The Yorkshire Evening Post reported earlier this month that the Hull City ace is at the top of Leeds’ striker wishlist this summer as he reaches the end of his contract with the Whites’ Championship rivals.

His proven record in England’s second tier is said to be what is proving particularly appealing to the Leeds hierarchy. The 27-year-old may have struggled in the Premier League, but he has been lethal in the Championship, with 28 goals coming in just 49 games for the Tigers at that level. The Yorkshire Evening Post more recently added that Andrea Radrizzani is confident that he can finance a move for Hernandez, who earns £40,000-a-week at Hull.

It is not only a deal that Leeds should be prioritising after such a disappointing campaign for the club’s strikers, but it is also one that young Ryan Edmondson should be desperate to see get across the line as Hernandez could arguably be the perfect striker for the academy starlet to learn from.

Edmondson arrived at Thorp Arch during this past season and has taken virtually no time to establish himself as one of the brightest prospects coming through. He has been fantastically prolific for the under-18s in recent months, and after weeks of calls from the fans for a first-team chance, Paul Heckingbottom handed him a substitute appearance on the final day of the campaign. A goal in the post-season trip to Myanmar probably helped his cause also.

It seems too soon to expect Edmondson to be in Heckingbottom’s plans on a regular basis next season, but the 17-year-old is certainly one player that the Leeds boss should keep around the first-team as he appears to have the attitude and potential to make an impact. Despite his tender years, he is perhaps one player that fans should already be expecting to see one day wearing the captain’s armband.

And signing Hernandez could be a superb way for Edmondson to receive a boost as he looks to realise that enormous potential. Hernandez has proven himself to be one of the best finishers in the division. He is also someone who has been taken to a World Cup amongst a squad where he is rivalling Luis Suarez and Edinson Cavani for a place in the team – he may be the perfect player for the young Leeds striker to learn from.

If Leeds sign Hernandez this summer and he manages to stay fit, he should be able to greatly restrict Edmondson’s chances of first-team football over the next couple of years. But in spite of that, it could certainly be argued that there would be few realistic signings who could help the academy starlet more given the knowledge that Hernandez could pass on.