'Leeds promotion may hinge on Ramazani'

When Largie Ramazani beat the offside trap and then the Cardiff goalkeeper last Saturday afternoon in Wales, in his first start in English senior football, it wasn't a surprise. His first goal in La Liga had come in an eerily similar fashion against Real Madrid.

“I was confident I was going to score today. I just had that feeling,” Largie said after the game last weekend. His attitude is in stark contrast to his reaction after his goal against Madrid two years ago: “It was so big of a shock, I didn't realise I had actually scored until after the game.” He is clearly growing in confidence.

Almeria struggled in La Liga last season and were eventually relegated, but Ramazani was one of the few who showed glimpses of his high potential. For chances created per 90 minutes, his figures sat alongside Real's Vinicius Junior, Atletico's Antoine Griezmann and Barcelona's Lamine Yamal.

Leeds United manager Daniel Farke has a track record of developing youth players, especially forwards, and was cautiously complimentary of Largie: “He was there with several really nice touches, also in counter attacks, scored a fantastic goal, good movement. But he could have scored a few more and also had a few unnecessary losses of the ball and also a few chances that he missed. So there's still much to work on.”

A promotion chasing Leeds side are a different prospect to the relegation battling Almeria the young Belgian came from. Leeds' promotion may hinge on Ramazani fulfilling his potential, but his first start showed why United had faith in him.

Find more from Adonis Storr at The Roaring Peacock