According to a recent report from West Sussex County Times, Leeds United are interested in signing Birmingham City’s young striker Adan George. Premier League club Brighton are also said to be competing for his signature. The forward is yet to play at the senior level, but George is highly rated for his exploits at the youth level.
Leeds United have invested heavily in young players for quite some time, and George will likely be another one of their ‘project players’. The 17-year-old is going to be out of contract (Leeds Live) in the summer so Leeds United can sign him for a compensation fee. However, Brighton’s interest could make things interesting for the Whites.
Bielsa hasn’t been afraid to give youngsters chances since he arrived at Elland Road. Usually, his bench comprises of all the players who have been thriving at the u-23 level.
Birmingham City’s coach describes George
Birmingham City’s development coach Steve Spooner described George’s physique as of a middleweight boxer. Last year, Spooner had said (Daily Mail), ” He’s had a fantastic end to the campaign (Professional Development League). Thirteen, 14 goals for the season. He looks a real threat. There are still areas of the game he needs to tidy up on, particularly with his back to the goal. But he is a real threat. He has a physique like a middleweight boxer, and you get him running in the channels against you, when he uses his strength as well as his pace, then he causes a problem.”
George seems to have the perfect mixture of speed and strength and at the age of only 16; he broke into Birmingham City’s u-23 side. Hence, he seems to be well ahead of his years, and Leeds United should definitely keep track of a talent like George.
Can Bielsa get his man?
If Leeds United get to the Premier League by next season then their chances of luring a talent like George would become easier. Moreover, the Whites have offered quite a few debuts to youngsters in the past two years so George might fancy breaking into the top-level sooner at Elland Road.
Leeds United have incidentally struggled up front to score goals freely this season. One cannot expect George to have an impact in the first team straight away as he will likely have to grind in United’s developmental side before he comes close to getting first-team football. The lure of being coached by someone like Marcelo Bielsa can also not be ignored. However, almost everything rests on United making it to the top flight by next season. If that doesn’t happen, then Bielsa could move away, and a side like Brighton might have the edge in luring the Birmingham City ace.
