After making his first-team debut in the FA Cup against Arsenal back at the beginning of 2020, it’s fair to say Robbie Gotts has fallen out of the spotlight since then for Leeds United.
The 21-year-old appeared to be one of the real bright prospects coming through the clubs academy sides, with Marcelo Bielsa himself previously raving about the midfielder, saying: “He’s a number eight. A midfielder, not defensive, a number eight. I have never seen a player with such a dynamic. A player with skills.”
Following a less than stellar loan spell at Lincoln City earlier this season, Gotts made the switch to Salford in the January transfer window – a side one division lower than the Imps, but crucially a team where he’s getting regular first-team football.
Should Robbie Gotts be given a chance next season?
Yes!
No!
After playing just 370 minutes worth of football for Lincoln in the league, he’s already managed more than double that amount with Salford in League Two, despite being there for less than a couple of months – he’s also showed his developing attacking instincts, notching two goals and one assist in 12 matches.
And it’s fair to say he’s already made a very good impression with those involved at Salford, with manager Richie Wellens telling The Evening Express: “On the press he is excellent, a typical (Marcelo) Bielsa player. His passing is good, he’s scored two in three for us and could have had more. He is a really good, infectious lad who the group has taken to straight away.
“We are going to improve him for free, that’s why Leeds have loaned him to us. We think he has a real chance to go all the way.”
Speaking to The Athletic, Gotts himself revealed why he made the decision to leave on loan last summer, saying: “There were other players in front of me so it made sense to go out last summer. Everyone’s path is different, even with top players. You have to make your own journey. The way I look at it is push myself as hard as I can at Salford, go back to Leeds for pre-season and then see what happens.”
Given the injury problems and lack of real strength in depth in central midfield, the 21-year-old Gotts is surely someone who Bielsa must unleash in the Premier League next season when he comes back from his loan spell.
Meanwhile, Bielsa should urge Leeds to move for this Premier League beast…