Leeds United have been investing in the youth recruitment again since Andrea Radrizzani appointed Victor Orta the director of football. The club have always had players coming through from local clubs but we’ve extended our arm abroad and in the UK. Another one turning heads is Sam Dalby.
Dalby signed last season from non-League Leyton Orient after the club had a few years of meltdown. The club struggles after Italian owners took over and as they dropped down the leagues it gave an opportunity to players coming through at the club, their loss would ultimately be Leeds’ gain. Dalby was recruited and Leeds paid a fee that is undisclosed for the youngster.
Since his arrival he was placed into the under 23’s where he would become the number nine at that level. Carlos Corberan didn’t throw him in straight away but when he did it looked like the money Leeds had invested would be worthwhile. Dalby is very powerful and is in a classic number nine mould, a target man who can hold the ball up and loves to get on the end of crosses into the box. Players such as Tom Pearce and Jack Clarke were loving flanking the striker.
Impressive performances last season in the development squad meant that as Marcelo Bielsa sorted his squad out for pre-season Dalby was called up ahead of Caleb Ekuban to play in the second XI with the likes of Mateusz Klich and Lewis Baker. He bagged on his first game, slotting an equaliser at York City but will be featuring for the development squad again this season.
Ryan Edmondson is the third choice striker as things stand, behind Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford and Dalby won’t be far behind him. The young Leeds fire power that also includes Jack Clarke and Jordan Stevens is as bright as it has ben for many years.
