Leeds United employee issues ‘massive’ Darko Gyabi verdict after training ground reveal
Noel Whelan has claimed Leeds United boss Jesse Marsch could use the FA Cup third-round clash with Cardiff (8 January) to assess Darko Gyabi’s readiness for first-team action.
The former Leeds striker was speaking exclusively to Football Insider as the 18-year-old makes a push towards a regular spot in the matchday squad following friendly involvement this month.
Gyabi has made just one senior appearance since joining Leeds United from Man City in the summer window – a 90-minute outing in the 1-0 League Cup loss against Wolves on 9 November.
However, he has featured in friendlies against Elche and Real Sociedad across the mid-season World Cup break with Tyler Adams still absent after his involvement with the United States.
As quoted by Leeds Live (15 December), Gyabi has insisted he is still “learning” the system used by manager Jesse Marsch – with whom he has regular “individual meetings” about his progress.
Gyabi is behind Adams and Marc Roca in the Whites’ pecking order – both of whom have impressed since joining in the summer window.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “I think any cup games are a perfect opportunity to give fringe players like Gyabi that game time in a competitive match.
“That’s how you see how he’s progressing.
“Winning is a good habit, and we want to be successful in cup competitions. So we won’t be throwing a whole new squad out in the game.
“But as long as we can stay in these early rounds of the cup, it gives us a massive opportunity to help the development of these younger players like Gyabi.
“You’ve got to give them these opportunities. It’s the prime time for their development, and for Jesse Marsch to assess whether they are ready to make that step into the first team.”
In other news, pundit backs Leeds United to complete Aaron Wan-Bissaka deal in January after update.