Leeds United employee issues Jesse Marsch verdict as new pre-season details emerge
Noel Whelan has suggested this week will be “the most important” for young players vying to break into Jesse Marsch’s Leeds United plans for the 2022/23 campaign.
The former Whites striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, urged rising stars to display the right “attitude, character, and work ethic” on their return to Thorp Arch.
Leeds United returned to training on Monday (27 June) as they prepare to head off to Australia for the first of their pre-season friendlies.
Youngsters Leif Davies, Ian Poveda, Lewis Bate, Joe Gelhardt, Crysensio Summerville, Cody Drameh, Sam Greenwood, Jamie Shackleton, and Stuart McKinstry all took part in Monday’s activities.
Other first-team stars will rejoin the group in the coming weeks having been given extra time off as a result of their international participation earlier this month.
Whelan urged Leeds United’s fringe stars to “get into the mind” of manager Jesse Marsch.
He told Football Insider‘s Ewan Kingsbury: “It’s the most important time of a season [for young players].
“You have to get a good pre-season under your belt – that especially goes for the younger players. They’ll have to stay injury-free, as well.
“There’s nothing worse than picking up a niggle and falling out of contention before the season even starts.
“It’s all about getting into the mind of Jesse Marsch now for these fringe players. They’ve got to show the right attitude, the right character, the right work ethic.
“You’ve got to push yourself to your maximum capability in order to become part of the plans for the Premier League.”
Leeds United will take on Brisbane Roar, Crystal Palace, and Aston Villa during their time in Australia.
The Whites’ first game of the Premier League season is against Wolves on 6 August.
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