Leeds United boss Daniel Farke has described Thorp Arch academy graduate Sam Greenwood as “one of the best set-piece takers” he has ever worked with.
The Whites manager was speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post about the 21-year-old, who is currently on loan at Saturday opponents Middlesbrough.
As per EFL rules, Greenwood will not be playing against parent club Leeds in the 3pm GMT kickoff at Elland Road.
Greenwood left Leeds on loan in the summer to return to his native north-east. The attacking talent was born in Sunderland and began his footballing journey at the Academy of Light.
He has been in great form for the Teesside outfit, registering four goals and two assists from 15 outings.
Leeds United loanee Sam Greenwood ‘progressing in the right way’
Farke, speaking ahead of the encounter between Leeds and Boro, was eager to sing Greenwood’s praises as a set-piece specialist.
However, the German stressed that he doesn’t regret letting the playmaker leave on loan, due to the number of bodies ahead of him in the Whites attack.
“We are happy that he is progressing in the right way,” said Farke.
“When you send someone out on loan either he comes back or he increases his value and I think it was the right decision to send him out. He is a young player with a lot of potential.
“He is one of the best set piece takers I have worked with. Even in our squad he would be second to none but you have to make sure you play day in and day out as a young player.
“He was also a bit unlucky with his injury and we have Summerville, James, Piroe, Rutter, Gnonto, it would be difficult for him to get game time, he is now on the right way to play day in day out.
“There are no regrets and he has good chances to look back on a really good loan and the main topic is that he won’t score against us and this won’t happen. No regrets.”
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It’s good to see Greenwood doing so well. He’s a top talent and it looks like he’ll go far in the game.
At the same time, it’s difficult to see him wearing the Leeds shirt again, at least for the foreseeable future.
Boro reportedly have a £1.5million option to buy Greenwood. Considering he’s playing so well and has his whole career ahead of him, the club will surely trigger this option.
And with the player himself enjoying his football, improving as a player and also living closer to home, you’d think he’d jump at the opportunity to continue his journey at the Riverside.