Alfonso Pedraza joined Leeds United on loan from Spanish side Villarreal on the deadline day of the January transfer window. The 20-year old joined on a temporary deal, but there is an option for Leeds to sign him on a permanent basis for a fee of £8.5 million, provided they achieve promotion to the top division.
Pedraza has made great impact upon arriving in the winter transfer window and looks to be a shrewd addition from Garry Monk as the Whites go about chasing promotion to the Premier League. Here are three reasons why the Leeds fans should be excited about the winger:
Immediate Impact
Pedraza did not take too long to get going for Leeds as he scored in just his 3rd appearance for the club when he came off the bench to score in the 3-1 win against Birmingham City. He almost followed it up with another goal, when he hit the post against Fulham. As a result, he has nailed down a regular spot in the playing XI under Monk.
Comparing this to someone like a Modou Barrow who also arrived on loan but is yet to make an appearance in the first-team for the Whites, it gives you an idea of the impact that Pedraza has made. Arriving from the Spanish lower leagues and in no time getting used to unfamiliar surroundings, playing styles and conditions at a young age, Pedraza has done it with so much ease and looks to be at home in the Leeds line-up.
Dribbling & Work-Rate
The 20-year old Spaniard made four successful dribbles in Leeds’ vital win over Brighton and Hove Albion. This was the third highest number of successful dribbles in the Championship for the weekend, with only Jacob Murphy of Norwich City (7) and Ryan Kent (4) of Barnsley managing more successful take-ons.
Having a player in the side who is willing to take people on and beat them is a key asset and creates more space for the likes of the less mobile Chris Wood and Pablo Hernandez to cause damage to the opponents.
The youngster’s work rate has also been impressive and has demonstrated that it is not just about flair and technique with him. In the 1-1 draw at Fulham he made five tackles, more than any Leeds player, and won four interceptions – also a team high.
Someone with the flair and the trickery to hurt opponents on the attack, but also completely willing to help his defence out when needed, which is clearly an asset to have in the ranks.
Lugo’s Struggles
Pedraza, before joining Leeds United, was on loan at Spanish second division side Lugo. Villarreal had to pay a compensation fee of £300,000 in order to cancel the season-long deal with the second-division outfit, before sending him to England.
During the first half of the season, Pedraza scored 6 goals and set up eight more for Lugo from 23 La Liga2 appearances and became a key player for them. Without him they have been on a terrible run of form, winning only two of their last seven matches, which has seen them fall out of promotion contention and down into ninth place. It goes on to show the calibre and the potential of the player and demonstrates the fact that he can go on to become a big player for Leeds in the future.