Noel Whelan delivers verdict on Pedraza, this is his best position at Leeds

Mon 13 February 2017 13:49, UK

By Harry Sykes

Noel Whelan has revealed he was encouraged by the full debut of Leeds deadline day signing Alfonso Pedraza despite the defeat to Cardiff.

Manager Garry Monk handed Pedraza his first start for the club in their 2-0 defeat to Neil Warnock’s Cardiff on Saturday afternoon.

The Spanish winger, 20, played 71 minutes of the Elland Road clash before being replaced by Kemar Roofe.

BBC pundit and ex-Leeds forward Whelan delivered his verdict on Pedraza and explained where he believes the youngster can be most effective.

“I thought he brought good movement, good touches – he’s still only 20 – but still didn’t hurt them too much down the left,” Whelan told BBC Radio Leeds, as quoted by the BBC Leeds matchday blog (Saturday, 5.40pm). “A lot of his best play came down the right, linking up with Hernandez.

“Home debuts can be difficult but he seems to have the right attributes. He just came up against a very stubborn Cardiff team.

“(Leeds) have a lot of pace and choice for wingers now, which we were crying out for – but we need it up front, as well.”

Pedraza joined Leeds on the final day of the January transfer window on a loan deal that runs for the remainder of the season.

There have been reports in his native Spain that the wide forward will join Leeds on an £8.5million permanent transfer if they win promotion to the Premier League in May.

Pedraza made his debut as a second-half substitute in the 2-1 defeat at Huddersfield before being handed his full debut against Cardiff.

He will be in the reckoning to make his third appearance for Garry Monk’s side when they host Bristol City in the Championship on Tuesday night.