Leeds United fans rave about loan star’s display – will he make Elland Road return?
Leeds United fans rave about loan star’s display – will he make Elland Road return?
Leeds United are marching towards automatic promotion to the Premier League. They are sitting at the summit of the Championship table after 31 games and are looking like certainties to go up at the end of the season. Daniel Farke and the Leeds board will have decisions to make on several players in the summer if they get promoted. However, the club will also have calls to make on the futures of the loan stars who will be returning at the end of the season. Several young players who belong to Leeds are performing across the football pyramid at the moment and one of those starlets was part of a history-making result in the FA Cup over the weekend.
The Yorkshire giants have several players on loan at the moment and most of them really do not have a long-term future at the club if they return in the summer.
Sam Greenwood is expected to move on from Leeds United in the summer regardless of whether Preston North End decide to take up the option to sign him on a permanent deal.
Joe Gelhardt will likely look for a fresh start away from Leeds once his loan stint at Hull City ends at the end of the season as it is clear he is not rated as highly by Daniel Farke as some others.
But there is now genuine interest in whether Darko Gyabi has a future at Leeds following his brilliant performance in Plymouth shocking Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday.
Darko Gyabi showcased his talent against the best team in Europe
Gyabi headed out on loan last season after it became clear that the Leeds squad were well-stocked in midfield options and he was unlikely to get an opportunity to impress.
Plymouth signed the 20-year-old midfielder on loan but it was very clear from early on in the season that the team were going to struggle to survive in the Championship.
They are sitting rooted to the bottom of the league table but Gyabi has caught the eye with his performances for a struggling Championship side this season.
However, on what is likely to be the best day for Plymouth fans for a long time, Gyabi took centre stage and was very good against a Liverpool side who are top of the Premier League and are the best side in Europe at the moment.
The midfielder played a big role in Plymouth causing the most shocking result in the FA Cup’s modern history by beating Liverpool 1-0 in the fourth round.
Gyabi won the pivotal penalty that led to the Championship side taking the lead and he was super throughout the game to keep the Reds at bay.
His passing was crisp and he was not afraid of presenting himself as a passing outlet for his teammates throughout to show a more mature side of his game.
Leeds fans were left excited about a midfielder who is still 20 but showed against one of the biggest teams that he is not afraid to take centre stage when needed.
The Whites would need players of his mentality next summer if they get promoted to the Premier League at the end of the season.
Darko Gyabi has stood out in a struggling team
Apart from the Liverpool result, Plymouth have been dreadful this season and have won just five of their opening 30 Championship games this season.
They sit at the bottom of the league table and are massive favourites to go down to League One at the end of the season.
However, Gyabi has been one of the very few players who have looked decent this season in a side who have been terrible as a unit all campaign.
The 20-year-old has shown that he can be an all-action midfielder but is part of a side who are defending for their lives in most games.
Gyabi commits very few mistakes and has the ability to recover balls for the team, which would be crucial if he gets a chance at Leeds United in the future.
He also doesn’t shy away from tackles and is prepared to put a foot in to ensure that his opponents know that he is on the pitch.
Gyabi’s passing numbers are nowhere close to the Leeds midfielders but it is important to note that the Whites dominate the ball in most games while Plymouth don’t.
However, there is enough evidence to suggest that Farke will likely take a look at him in pre-season before a decision on his future at Leeds is taken.
The midfielder also has age on his side and could be given a longer rope to prove himself that he is good enough to be a Leeds star in the future.
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