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Cody Drameh has reached Leeds United fork in the road and something must give
It’s hardly a surprise to see Cody Drameh attracting Premier League interest this summer. The Leeds United man caught the eye while on loan at Luton Town last season and both the Hatters and Burnley are said to be pushing for his signature.
It’s Burnley who have been mentioned most, though, with unconfirmed reports last week suggesting that the Clarets had seen an opening bid knocked back by the Whites. The possibility of returning to the top flight might appeal to the 21-year-old, who will almost certainly be keen to test himself at the highest level next season.
But, as LeedsLive reported earlier this month, Drameh is open to the idea of staying at Elland Road this summer, too, if he is given assurances regarding game time. With that in mind, LeedsLive takes a look at the decision the right-back faces this summer as he approaches a fork in his career path.
Read more: Leeds United’s calculated youth gamble carries value amid uncertain transfer destiny
Stay at Leeds United
Drameh has cut something of a frustrated figure over the last 12 months or so at Elland Road. After returning from his successful loan at Cardiff City, the defender had been keen to work his way into the West Yorkshire picture and challenge for a place in the side.
He was given assurances by Jesse Marsch, who regularly spoke highly of him in the press, but opportunities in the side never came. His one start came in the defeat to Brentford in September and he spent the remainder of the first half of the season plying his trade in the Under-21s.
His performances at that level made it clear that he ought to playing first-team football to continue developing and he was given that opportunity in January when Luton came calling. Unfortunately for Drameh, there is intense competition for the right-back role at Leeds and both Luke Ayling and Rasmus Kristensen are expected to stick around to compete in the Championship next season.
However, there’s no reason why Drameh shouldn’t be backing himself to usurp the more experienced duo and claim the right-back spot for himself. Neither Ayling nor Kristensen did themselves any favours as Premier League relegation edged closer last season and the opportunity for Drameh to start with a clean slate under a new head coach at a familiar level might just work in his favour.
The new pecking order is yet to be established and with a strong pre-season under his belt, he stands a chance of nailing down a spot in the side. Game time is all he wants at this stage of his career and if he can win over the new man, he might just get it in abundance.
Given the amount of promising players aged 21 or under at Elland Road, it’s a fair assumption to say the head coach will be expected to have a focus on youth and if that is to be the case, Drameh might just find himself in the frame to become a regular in a United side pushing for promotion.
Leave for the Premier League
There’s a lot of uncertainty in the above argument and if those game-time promises aren’t made, he may well find himself stuck in limbo once more. The last thing he wants is to find himself rooted on the Elland Road periphery once again as he approaches a pivotal point in his career and given his talent and potential, it would be a waste.
In such a situation, it wouldn’t be hard to understand why he would see the appeal in moving to a club where he knows he could potentially have a key role to play. There are no guarantees, especially at Burnley who already have Connor Roberts and Vitinha as right-back options, but Drameh would have every right to fancy his chances of competing for a spot elsewhere.
The transfer and a fresh, improved contract would be enough to send him back up the ladder with a spring his step, ready for another chance to take on the Premier League.
In the case of Luton, the move would be an opportunity for him to continue on their journey. Drameh played an important role at Kenilworth Road over the second half of the season and he may well be keen to play his part in the next chapter of that fairy tale story through the top tier.
At this stage there is a large possibility that both Burnley and Luton could find themselves battling at the wrong end of the Premier League, and that brings his own pressures, of course. But, it could be seen as a risk worth taking for the defender, especially if his path to the starting XI at Elland Road continues to appear blocked.
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