Scout Report – Bailey Peacock-Farrell
Leeds United’s young goalkeeper Bailey Peacock-Farrell has been sent to non-league York City on a short-term loan in order to further his development.
The stopper reportedly almost joined Oldham Athletic on a season-long loan back in the summer. However, that transfer fell through after he had a short trial with the Greater Manchester side. Leeds then decided to keep hold of the player until after the summer transfer window and are now allowing him to join York after moving to sign Polish ‘keeper Kamil Miazek for free.
Peacock-Farrell could have gone to a higher level, however, rules surrounding the transfer window preclude him from moving to another EFL side until January so he is being sent to the non-league ranks. Here’s what we know about the young man so far:
History
Born in Darlington 20 years ago, Peacock-Farrell, unsurprisingly, was with Middlesbrough’s academy until 2013 when he was spotted and taken by Leeds United.
The move came as a great relief, with him having been released by the Boro, though the embarrassment of riches the Teesside club often have at youth level means there’s no shame in that. Peacock-Farrell went on to impress in goal at Leeds and signed his first professional contract with the club back in 2015.
Style Of Play
At 6ft 3½in, the ‘keeper has exactly the right stature for this job. His height, especially in the youth ranks, means that he will not be beaten regularly from long range and nor does he falter at set-pieces, though this advantage will gradually wane as he moves into senior football and so more is needed.
Peacock-Farrell is a good shot-stopper from close range though and prefers to play a short pass to a full-back rather than kick long, which is good for Leeds’ future too.
Peacock-Farrell’s Future
His move to York is positive in the short term, though by next season you would hope he could be involved more with Leeds’ first team squad. Whatever happens, he is set to make his living from the game you would feel and, although he was born in England, he has the advantage of international experience with Northern Ireland, having trained with the squad in May.
20 is very young for a goalkeeper so it is impossible to say what level he will reach, but League One would be a minimum you would feel and international football at the other end of the scale is not discounted.