Cody Drameh seeking regular action on Leeds United return as '100 games' plea issued - YEP 7/5/22
Leeds United defender Cody Drameh wants to compete for first-team football at Elland Road upon his return from a loan spell at Cardiff City
By Joe Donnohue
Leeds United youngster Cody Drameh says he wants to play
regular football on his return to Elland Road this summer.
The 20-year-old has spent a successful period out on loan at
Championship side Cardiff City this season, winning the Bluebirds' Player of
the Season award despite only joining the club in a temporary switch four
months ago.
The young defender has had a taste for regular action at
Championship level and says he will not be content with waiting in the wings
back at his parent club.
Drameh opened up on the mental toughness he was required to
show in the wake of his Leeds exit earlier this year.
He admits he did not anticipate the backlash that would
follow his request to go out on loan in search of regular football.
Drameh remains contracted to Leeds United until 2024 and
looks set to make a return to Thorp Arch this summer with the chance of Cardiff
securing a permanent deal slim.
The former Fulham man is unbothered by the prospect of
heading north once again, but has clearly outlined his hopes for the future at
Elland Road.
Speaking to WalesOnline, the young defender said: "I
think game time for me is really important."
"You saw in January, if I'm not promised game time then
I don't really want to be waiting around."
Drameh's decision to push through a loan move to the
Championship was perceived by some supporters as going against then-manager
Marcelo Bielsa's wishes.
Others sympathised with the 20-year-old, viewing the
situation as one in which a young player merely sought regular action which was
not forthcoming at Leeds.
"As a player, everyone wants to play. If you're not in
that mindset then I don't know why you're playing football. I want to play
games, I'm very young but there are players in my age bracket who have already
played 100 games! That's where I want to be.
"My options are very open. But I've got to see. I am
contracted to Leeds and see what they are saying with me."
Luke Ayling remains Leeds' resident right-back but following
Stuart Dallas' leg break, the Whites' options at full-back are now somewhat
depleted.
