When Garry Monk shocked Leeds United at the end of last season by resigning from his job, it brought into the picture a certain Thomas Christiansen. Christiansen guided Apoel Nicosia of Cyprus to the last 16 of the Europa League and to Cypriot first division title last season before taking over at Leeds.
When Christian walked into the club, the board was hoping to see the positive effect of having a foreign manager, in a manner somewhat similar to what David Wagner or Marco Silva has had at Huddersfield and Hull.
Leeds got off to a flying start to their new season. Fast flowing football that was easy on the eye and a defence that since the opening game at Bolton had conceded three goals in eight games meant that Leeds could not have hoped for a better start. The Leeds machine, however, began to show signs of crack as the league progressed and they now stand tenth in the table after eleven defeats in 28 games.
Doubts are clouding over the club and the atmosphere at Leeds right now is grave. Several post-mortem reports of the club’s defeats have speculated about various aspects that the club needs to get right. One clear need for a position of reinforcement is that of a striker.
With Caleb Ekuban facing time on the sidelines, Samuel Sáiz suffering from some serious disciplinary issues and Pierre-Michel Lasogga unable to fire on all cylinders, the bulk of the scoring responsibility has fallen on Kemar Roofe and Christiansen could do with another option up front.
Hence the news of the signing of a teenage striker is something that the fans can do with. Sam Dalby, the 18-year-old hitman will add some firepower up top. Although he is expected to play with the under 23 team initially, a good scoring touch will definitely see him get some first team chances given the team’s crisis of players up front.
Director of football Victor Orta said: “We are pleased to welcome Sam to Leeds United; we believe that he can be an important player for the future. He has already tasted League Two and National League football, he is tall and strong, and we are confident that in a couple of years’ time he can be competing for a place in our first team. In the immediate future, Sam will join in with our under-23s, who will help to develop him into the player we believe he can be”.
Dalby who has signed a two and a half year deal with the club made his debut back at the age of 16 and is clearly a good option for the future for Leeds.
