Whelan issues verdict on Drameh future at Leeds after controversial Cardiff move
Noel Whelan has insisted Cody Drameh’s move to Cardiff City on loan from Leeds United will do him “the world of good”.
The former Leeds striker and club ambassador, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 20-year-old needed to step up from playing under-23s football this season.
Drameh went straight into the Cardiff starting XI on Saturday (15 January) after completing his loan move last Wednesday.
Marcelo Bielsa subsequently made it clear that Drameh had pushed for the transfer and that he was unhappy at letting him go.
Drameh played 78 minutes as the Bluebirds fell to a 1-0 defeat at home to Blackburn Rovers.
Whelan admitted he was delighted to see Drameh get the chance to play first-team football in the Championship.
“A really good smashing young man, a real talent as well,” Whelan told Football Insider’s Russell Edge.
“I do believe that when you get to a certain stage of your career as a young boy, a young man, under-23s isn’t enough.
“But sometimes that step to the first team is a bit too much. You need that middle area where you go out and play men’s competitive football to get that next part of your progression under your belt.
“This will do him the world of good, it really will. Playing with a good team in Cardiff in a very, very, strong competitive league in the Championship.
“I think this is where he’s going to learn a lot more about himself. He’s going to develop himself as a player and he will come back a much better and much stronger personality and player at the end of it.
“In my day, we got this experience in the reserves. We were up against proper men when we were young boys.
“We had to learn quickly about ourselves, how we needed to adapt to that kind of level. I think this is what they’re learning now, but in a different way, when they go out on loan.”
Drameh joined Leeds from Fulham in the summer of 2020.
He has made five appearances for the senior side, all of which have come this season.
In other news, Kieran Maguire has claimed Leeds United could rake it in after two new deals struck.