Leeds United might make good use of this youthful talent alongside Mateo Joseph.
Mateo Joseph would have been able to leave Stamford Bridge on Wednesday night with a grin on his face, despite Leeds United’s unfortunate final result, after the 20-year-old hotshot scored twice against Chelsea in the 3-2 loss.
The dynamic Whites number 49 would only need three shots on Robert Sanchez’s goal to score twice, capitalising on a rare first-team opportunity granted to him by Daniel Farke in west London.
Those two goals could help Joseph earn additional minutes in the Championship between now and the end of the frantic 46-game season, but there’s a kid with an even bigger ceiling than the goalscoring hero who is presently on loan away from Elland Road.
Cody Drameh’s Statistics at the Youth Level
Cody Drameh does have the advantage of being two years older than Joseph, with the current Birmingham City loanee prospering at junior level for Leeds before cutting his teeth on various loan spells abroad.
Drameh made 43 games for Leeds U21, recording an amazing eight assists and two goals as an expansive and full-throttle right-back.
These outstanding performances at the young level led to the 22-year-old being offered opportunities to shine in the senior Leeds squad, including three Premier League opportunities during the 2021/22 season.
Drameh has been loaned out several times since then, allowing the aggressive full-back to shine away from West Yorkshire before returning to try to build a claim for a permanent first-team berth.
The 5’9 defender has performed admirably for several second-tier clubs, particularly an eventual promoted Luton Town, and it would not be surprising if Farke included Drameh in his first-team plans shortly.
Drameh’s record is out on loan.
Although Joseph sprung into life against Chelsea, the 20-year-old striker has yet to spread his wings and grow in new circumstances while on loan from Leeds.
Drameh has nine assists away from Leeds in short stints with Birmingham, Cardiff, and Luton, the last of which resulted in the 22-year-old’s elevation to the Premier League.
Drameh’s brief spell with the Bluebirds earned him a Player of the Season award for the Welsh club, and the full-back is hoping for more first-team opportunities in Leeds soon.
Cardiff boss Steve Morison praised Drameh during his standout 2021/22 season, calling the 22-year-old as “excellent” and having the energy of a “Duracell bunny” for the Welsh side.
Joseph needs more minutes to completely develop after only appearing in one game against Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues; although, the 20-year-old did score his first professional goal at Stamford Bridge.
Whereas, given the experience Drameh has gained on loan and the skill he has demonstrated wherever he has ended up, it would not be surprising to see him as a starting right-back for Leeds for many years to come upon his return.