A loan spell with Blackburn Rovers this season was expected to change that, but a major ankle injury meant he came back to Leeds in November. Since then, he has been out of the picture but according to former Leeds forward Noel Whelan we should expect to see Poveda in the first-team reckoning in 2022-23.
Once he returns from the injury, confidence is high that Poveda will be in and around the first team picture as we move into the next season. Given his gifts for dribbling and his natural flair, it should be no surprise to see that Poveda might end up a big part of what Leeds are looking to do under Jesse Marsch moving forward in the future.
What did Noel Whelan say about Ian Poveda playing for Leeds?
As a regular commentator on the club since he retired, Whelan is well-regarded by fans for his positive mannerisms around the club. Despite not really doing much on the pitch for Leeds, Whelan knows how privileged he was to play for the club. So, in a recent discussion with Football Insider, Whelan noted the importance of Poveda’s development.
In the interview, Whelan was confident the future was bright for the youngster, saying: “He won’t be going on holiday for too long, that’s for sure!
“He’ll be pushing and continuing that rehabilitation even if he does go back to Blackburn – because he’ll be pushing for places in the Leeds side next season. This is a really important time for him to get back to maximum strength.
"The new manager has come in, and that will provide him with a clean slate to play off. I’m sure Jesse Marsch will be excited to see him in action, but he needs to see him fully fit.
“We know he’s got the ability, the pace. Maybe this strength and conditioning time he has had will give him the extra physical nature he needs. If he can come back strong, fit, and healthy, I think we’ve got a really good player on our hands.”
For Leeds, it would be a boon to see the youngster come back to the club and be able to play a major role. Since arriving from Manchester City in 2020 consistency has become an issue for the player, but things could soon change as Marsch and co. look to develop a side that can really make a big difference moving forward in the future.
Excitement is in the air regarding Poveda, and it is easy to see why. The coming season might be the one where Leeds fans can finally see what this exciting young talent can bring to the table on a consistent basis.
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