Radrizzani reveals his ultimate end game for Leeds aggressive transfer policy
Andrea Radrizzani has said that the aim of Leeds’ youth policy is to bring players up to the first team, like Ronaldo Vieira and Kalvin Phillips.
In an interview with the Yorkshire Evening Post, Radrizzani said that he would be looking for one or two players a year to come through to the senior squad.
This comes after questions from senior journalist Phil Hay who said, “In no area have Leeds United been more aggressive this season than in the reshaping of their development squad.”
It is claimed that the expenditure on youth players has been one of the defining and more “puzzling” aspects of Radrizzani’s eight months as owner.
The recruitment – headed by director of football Victor Orta – has brought in a number of players without much of a reputation and sometimes for significant money.
Sam Dalby, Jordan Stevens, Pascal Struijk, Aapo Halme and Oliver Sarkic all moved to Leeds in the January window, leaving fans bemused and pondering the real purpose of the academy.
Comparisons have been made with Chelsea who seemingly use their youth players as a source of revenue, selling them on when they develop, and as a means of combating Financial Fair Play limits.
Asked about this though, Radrizzani was adamant that Leeds purpose was to bring players through to the first team rather than earning money.
“I wish to have another Kalvin Phillips, another Ronaldo (Vieira) coming up to the first-team squad,” Radrizzani said.
“That’s what I wish every year, one or two players from the Under-23s or the Under-18s.”
In other Leeds news, Radrizzani rips into Ian Harte after ‘unacceptable’ comments about Leeds
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