Former Leeds United forward Noel Whelan has identified Ryan Edmondson as the next big thing at the club.
The 17-year-old forward has been in sensational form for the U23’s this season and earned his first-team debut last term.
However, opportunities have been limited for the teenager this season, who has seen his only senior appearance come in a 20 minute cameo against Birmingham City in September.
Competition with the likes of Kemar Roofe, Patrick Bamford and Tyler Roberts has seen Edmondson’s involvement largely come behind the scenes but Whelan believes he has a big future ahead of him.
“He’s had a taste of it, I’ve seen him play, great stature to him – big strong boy – but not just because of his size,” he told Football Insider .
“He can play and that’s one good thing about him, he’s not just an out ball to flick on. He likes it to the chest, he likes to bring the ball down, he likes to run on, got good pace, got energy but the boy can finish.
“Unfortunately we have two players in Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford that he has to get past first but he’s certainly not let himself down this season when he has been called up to the first team and he’s certainly not let himself down for the 23s.
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“If he keeps going in the same direction, then he could find himself being the next best thing at Leeds United.”
Marcelo Bielsa spoke about Edmondson earlier this week, pointing out that more experience is the difference as to why his involvement this season has been limited.
“He’s a very young player. In this moment in his position players like Roofe, Bamford, Tyler Roberts have played,” said Bielsa.
“There’s a very important difference, I'm talking about experience, between these three players and Ryan, but he has made a very good improvement from the beginning of the season until today.”
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