Barnsley boss thinks Leeds United forward Mallik Wilks is a ‘good player’

Add as preferred source on Google

Barnsley boss Daniel Stendel has told BBC Radio Sheffield’s Football Heaven programme that Leeds forward Mallik Wilks is a ‘good’ player.

The German boss is thought to be courting the 20-year-old following his loan spell at Doncaster Rovers last season.

Barnsley won promotion to the Championship last season and Stendel is busy trying to shape his squad ahead of the new campaign.

Wilks was very impressive for Rovers during 2018/19. He was named Social Media Player of the Year by supporters and scored 16 goals in 53 appearances.

Stendel stopped short of naming Wilks as a target, choosing to remain coy on the situation.

He told BBC Radio Sheffield’s Football Heaven programme: “I think he is a very good player. When I look back on last season, I think the games against Doncaster, for me, both the home and the away game, were difficult games and very close.

“He is one player who played very well against us. He is a good player. We have good players in our head and maybe we can sign one or two players that we want.

“We will see in the next weeks what we can do, who we can sign and which players want to come to Barnsley.”

TBR Verdict

These comments seem to indicate that Stendel would be very keen to have Wilks within his ranks for next season.

And why wouldn’t he?

Any deal that sees him head to South Yorkshire would probably be a temporary one, however.

The Leeds academy graduate doesn’t seem likely to get a chance at Elland Road and a loan to the Championship is the natural next stage for his development.

It will be interesting to see what the 20-year-old can achieve in the second tier.

Wilks has all the attributes to become a success. He is quick, can finish and loves to take players on.

His arrival at Barnsley would seriously enhance their prospects of staying in the division. If he does go on and become a raving success, Leeds might just live to regret letting him leave on loan in the first place.