adminLeeds United captain Ethan Ampadu has shared his thoughts on which young prospect could be the next talent to emerge from the club’s U21s.
One of the major characteristics of clubs that consistently compete in the top half of the Premier League – and something Leeds United must get right – is developing a regular stream of academy graduates who can make a difference at senior level.
Unfortunately, this has not been a particularly successful area for Leeds in recent years, with Archie Gray arguably the only youngster to make such a significant impact. However, Ethan Ampadu believes another breakthrough could be on the horizon under Daniel Farke.
Ethan Ampadu backs Leeds United youngster Callum Mills for a promising future
After an impressive pre-season as a regular member of Leeds’ travelling squad in the US, alongside matches closer to home, Callum Mills will be looking to build on his performances and maintain his progress within the youth setup.
His displays throughout the summer and at Thorp Arch have evidently attracted attention from his teammates and members of the senior squad.
Club captain Ampadu was speaking to the Premier League’s TikTok account when he was asked to identify one player he is ‘tipping for big things’.
“Callum Mills,” Ampadu responded. “I think he’s shown people in pre-season already why he’s done so well.”
Leeds United must produce U21 talents to save and generate millions
Simply put, the financial benefits of having academy prospects progress into the first team are enormous.
Although it may be a straightforward way of assessing the value of homegrown players, producing young talents is essential if Leeds are serious about establishing themselves as a Premier League top-half side.
These players can generate significant revenue for the club, either by delivering excellent performances in the Premier League or attracting substantial transfer fees as ‘pure profit’ sales.
It is an area where Leeds have struggled to enjoy much success over the past few seasons, but one they must improve moving forward.
Considering Mills’ performances during pre-season and his displays for the U21s, there are plenty of reasons to be excited about his potential.
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