Who is Leeds target Lukas Nmecha? The next big thing out of Man City’s academy?
Leeds United are interested in making a summer loan move for Manchester City starlet Lukas Nmecha, as per reports from the Sun.
The EFL Championship side recently appointed Marcelo Bielsa as their new manager and have begun their summer recruitment drive by signing Chelsea midfielder Lewis Baker on a season-long loan already.
And now, as per the aforementioned report, they are interested in bringing the highly-rated Nmecha to the Elland Road as well, as they gear up to bounce back from a disappointing season and make a push for promotion.
Amidst the reported interest in the 19-year-old, here we bring you the lowdown on the striker and what he would be adding to the Whites’ squad should they sign him this summer.
Background
Born on 14 December 1998, in Hamburg, Germany, Nmecha relocated to England at a very young age and was picked up by the Manchester City academy as a 9-year-old in 2007.
Having spent a decade with the Cityzens’ youth ranks, the striker got his big break in the Sky Blues’ first-team in December last year, in an EFL Cup game against Leicester City, where he scored in the penalty shootout. He went on to make his Premier League debut towards the end of the 2018/19 campaign and has only 3 appearances for the City first-team.
However, Nmecha has been a prolific goalscorer for the youth sides throughout his spell, having scored 15 in 16 games for the City U18 outfit. He has also scored 8 in 14 appearances for the U19s in the UEFA Youth League competition.
The 19-year-old has an extremely impressive goalscoring record for the U23s as well, with 27 goals in 35 appearances, which highlights his potential and promise despite his tender age.
Eligible to represent Germany, England and Nigeria on the international stages, Nmecha has chosen to play for the Three Lions and has represented them at all youth stages starting from U16 to the U21s.
The striker scored the winning goal in the finals of the 2017 UEFA U-19 European Championships, helping England to the title. He was also a part of the U21 side that won the Toulon Tournament earlier this summer.
Style of Play
Nmecha started off as a winger but has grown into a lethal No.9 in recent years for the City youth teams. A player blessed with blistering pace, the 19-year-old excels at playing off the shoulders of the defenders. He can run past them with ease and also possesses the ability to play with his back facing the goal.
A good dribbler of the ball, the England youth international is also quite strong in the air, displays good technique and composure in front of goal, and has the makings of a prolific goalscorer.
What does the future hold?
With Sergio Aguero and Gabriel Jesus ahead of him in the pecking order, it is unlikely that Nmecha will be getting any meaningful minutes with the first-team.
Read more: Why this experienced 32-year-old South American would be a smart signing by Leeds United
A loan move away to Leeds and the opportunity of playing under a manager as tactically knowledgeable as Marcelo Bielsa would definitely be a great learning experience for the 19-year-old and it will only aid his rapid development.