[ad_pod ]

Marcelo Bielsa has been forced to call upon a handful of youth players this season to bolster Leeds United’s squad during times of heavy depletion, but injuries have not paved the way for Ryan Edmondson to break into the squad just yet.

What’s the word, then?

Edmondson has been in prolific form this season, scoring 17 goals in all-competitions for Carlos Corberan’s U23 side.

His form has arrived during the same season in which Jack Clarke and Jamie Shackleton have featured for the senior squad, and their involvement has raised questions regarding the 17-year-old forward’s future role at the club.

Bielsa has tackled the issue head on this week and emphasised his need for further experience, per Yorkshire Evening Post.

“He’s a very young player,” said Bielsa.

“In this moment in his position players like (Kemar) Roofe, (Patrick) Bamford, Tyler Roberts have played.

“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.”

Loan move for Edmondson?

Roofe, Roberts and Bamford are understandably keeping Edmondson in the youth setup.

The 17-year-old forward has played just 35 minutes of senior football in his career so far during two cameos against QPR and Birmingham City.

Considering his age, his goal-scoring return this season and the fact he has already featured at senior level, it’s fair to assume that the exciting teenager is being nurtured for a future first-team role.

However, as Bielsa has alluded to, competition for a starting berth is intense and that could potentially force Edmondson to move on loan in the summer window.

Roberts’ move into a number ten role this season may yet suggest that Edmondson could establish himself as third choice striker, but a loan move could be what’s needed in order to acquire the experience which Bielsa values so highly.