Leeds United employee issues emphatic Sonny Perkins claim as new details emerge
Noel Whelan has insisted the “clear pathway” at Leeds United will have been an “attractive proposition” for new boy Sonny Perkins.
The former Whites striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 19-year-old has “real potential” to become the “next Joe Gelhardt or Sam Greenwood” after their respective breakthroughs in the 2021-22 season.
Leeds United confirmed the signing of Perkins last week (19 July) after the highly-rated striker left West Ham upon the expiry of his contract in July.
The England Under-18 international scored 10 goals in 20 appearances for the Irons’ Under-23 side in Premier League 2 last term – as well as making three senior appearances.
According to Transfermarkt, Leeds United fielded the joint third-youngest squad on average in the 2021-22 campaign – with Arsenal leading the way in that regard.
Gelhardt, Greenwood, Lewis Bate, Leo Hjelde, and Charlie Cresswell were among the youngsters to make a big impression as the Whites narrowly avoided relegation.
Whelan suggested that the Yorkshire side’s “successful track record” could see Perkins given his first-team chance very soon.
“I think it’s a really attractive proposition for players like him,” he told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury.
“There is that clear pathway from the Under-23’s into the first-team, and it’s not just filling spaces – there is real potential to be the next Gelhardt or Greenwood.
“Many young players at clubs around the country don’t really have that pathway in place, and that can be really frustrating.
“Leeds United have got that set-up in place.
“They’ve got a real successful track record of giving these kinds of players first-team football.”
In other news, pundit claims Leeds United will complete “at least three” more signings after confirmed news.