Watch out: This 20-year-old Leeds United talent could take the Championship by storm next season

Leeds United youngster Oriol Rey has been one of the brightest players for their U23 side this past season.

Signed from Barcelona last summer, Rey has made an excellent impact for the U23s, becoming a vital figure in the successes of Carlos Corberan’s side. He appeared 30 times for the club last season and even scored two goals – one of which was a wonder strike against Nottingham Forest.

The versatile Spaniard also played a starring role as the young team signed off for the season with a 4-0 win over Bristol City last month.

Generally, players take time to settle down after joining from a different country but Rey seemed to face no trouble in doing so. The midfielder’s performances for Corberan’s side have been hugely impressive and it could be suggested that perhaps a chance in the first-team is not far away.

While Rey didn’t get to play in the senior Leeds team last season, he showed plenty of promise and potential to thrive in the Championship. The 20-year-old has proven to be an immensely influential player and he could be in line to make his first-team debut in the 2018/19 campaign.

As per reports, Leeds have held talks with Marcelo Bielsa and are expected to appoint him as their new manager, following the departure of Paul Heckingbottom.

Bielsa, well-known for managing Argentina and Chile, prefers to play a high-octane pressing style of football and he seems to favour the 3-3-3-1 formation. Having garnered a worldwide reputation for his fluid and distinctive tactical systems, Bielsa’s teams can often transition quickly from defending to attacking and vice-versa.

If Leeds do appoint Bielsa as their new manager, Rey is bound to thrive in a 3-3-3-1 system. He can either play as one of the centre-backs in a three-man defence, or as a deep-lying playmaker acting as the link between the midfield and the attack.

Capable of playing in the defence as well as in the midfield, Rey could become vital for Bielsa. Rey has worked quite hard and displayed a lot of promise with the Leeds U23 side. In fact, his impressive performances were rewarded with a bumper two-year deal last month.

After a brilliant debut season in England, the Spaniard will be high on confidence and should be looking to break into the senior Leeds team in the 2018/19 campaign.

The stage is set for Rey to take the Championship by storm next season but will he live up to his potential?