Leeds United youngsters on steep learning curve in Spain

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It has been a fairly miserable few months for Leeds United fans. The first-team’s promotion push faded away rapidly and they now look set for a mid-table finish. But whilst the seniors have disappointed there is always hope given to the Leeds faithful from their youth-teams.

Several young players such as Kun Temenuzhkov, Ryan Edmondson and Jack Clarke are currently getting Leeds fans excited for the future and those three are just outstanding examples.

Leeds have revamped their youth teams under the new chairman Andrea Radrizzani and director of football Victor Orta. Plenty of young recruits have been brought into the club, both from home and abroad. They have also been participating in some interesting tournaments, such as the tri-series in Qatar with the Aspire Academy.

This week they sent the club’s under-13s and under-17’s to Spain for a tournament that will have been a brilliant learning experience.

Leeds under-17s took part in the Torneo Internacional Real Sociedad. They faced the likes of Sporting Lisbon, Celta Vigo, Osasuna, Valencia and host club Real Sociedad. The hosts won the competition, beating Valencia in the final. Leeds came fifth overall.

The under-13s faced the same teams apart from Valencia, who were replaced by the juniors from Real Madrid. Los Blancos’ youngsters won the competition with Leeds coming last.

But despite the mixed results playing against youngsters from some of the best academies in Spain and the sensational system at Sporting would have been an incredible learning curve for the Leeds youngsters.

A lot of what is going on at Leeds right now is not pleasing fans of the club. But in regards to the youth system, Radrizzani and Orta clearly have a vision which is being implemented with success.

The recent participation in such a prestigious tournament is just another sign of that success.