Everyone knows about Harry Gray. The teenage forward is the latest product of the illustrious Gray family and is now earning valuable senior experience at Sheffield Wednesday this season.
The Leeds academy graduate has understandably attracted plenty of attention, but he is not the only youngster at Thorp Arch with a big future at Elland Road.
Carrick Njinko is a name Leeds fans may want to start remembering.
The young forward has quietly made an excellent start to the season with the Under-21s and is beginning to look like one of the more exciting attacking prospects coming through the academy.
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Njinko has started the season flying
Njinko has not exactly been shy in front of goal.
He scored four times in Leeds’ opening two Premier League 2 matches, earning himself a nomination for the league’s August Player of the Month award.
And he has not slowed down.
Njinko scored twice against Middlesbrough in September, showing exactly the sort of movement and finishing that could eventually attract attention from the first-team coaching staff.
He is still early in his development, and Leeds has no reason to rush him. But goals are usually the quickest way for an academy player to get noticed, and Njinko is certainly giving people plenty to talk about.
The most encouraging thing is that his goals have not simply come from being in the right place at the right time.
There have been signs of a player capable of creating chances for himself, combining with teammates and causing defenders problems.
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Could Njinko be Leeds’ next academy breakthrough?
There is obviously a huge difference between scoring regularly in Premier League 2 and doing it in the Premier League.
Leeds fans know that better than most.
But every first-team academy breakthrough starts somewhere, and Njinko is building a strong platform.
With Leeds continuing to invest in their academy and Daniel Farke having shown a willingness to give young players opportunities when they are ready, the pathway is there.
Njinko does not need to be thrown into the first team tomorrow. What Leeds will want to see is whether he can maintain this level throughout.
Dan James is one player who could be looing over his shoulders as the teenager’s performance from the right flank will give the Leeds coaches something to think about.
With the club looking for attackers to join the first team, if the 18-year-old keeps banging in goals, a call-up to the senior squad may not be too far away.
if you are good enough Farke you are old enough.quality is what the fanbase want to see not more of the same with no end product.if a young player can supply a ball and has plenty of pace put the ball where they can run on to it that’s what we need for one of the best jumpers and headers of a ball at no9.