Great talent Sam Greenwood adds versatility, intelligence and quality from set pieces to Middlesbrough.
Middlesbrough loaned Leeds United to Sam Greenwood for the season
Michael Carrick often talks about the value of flexibility and diversity at Middlesbrough, especially in the attack area.
And to be fair, their newest offensive rookie, Sam Greenwood, can certainly add to that.
Greenwood, who began his career at Sunderland before leaving Arsenal at the age of 16 and joining Leeds United two years later, joined Boro on a season-long loan.
In pecking order on Elland Road, the 21-year-old enters the game as Boro needs to solidify his attacking options ahead of time on Friday night.
With the primary goal of taking on the No 10 role, right behind the main striker, Carrick is well aware of Greenwood’s versatility and can use the young England international at centre-back, while also being promoted.
used in midfield position.
time at Leeds United.
Despite not playing during his time at Arsenal, Greenwood made 35 appearances in all competitions for Leeds.
He made his debut under Marcelo Bielsa, but under Jesse Marsch, he’s mostly made his debut for the White team, and the American coach is the one to test him in central midfield.
FIND OUT MORE:
Middlesbrough strengthens attack plan with loan signing Sam Greenwood from Leeds United
Congratulating him on his strong pre-season last summer, Marsch said of Boro’s new boy:
“First of all, he is very flexible in his play.
He played 6, 8, 10, he can play striker.
In a way, it’s not fair for him to try different positions, but he’s a smart player.
It corresponds to what we try to build in our team.
He’s a hard worker, smart, capable and that’s why we use him in many positions because he’s very adaptable.
He understands his tactics and his role and he has great talent.
”
Boro has identified Greenwood as someone who can enhance his offensive quality and creativity this season.
It was something he showed Ally McCoist that he had in his closet last year during Leeds’ loss to Manchester City, in which the 21-year-old assisted Leeds’ goal.
McCoist, commenting on the match against Amazon Prime, rewrote the lyrics:
What a ball.
What a cross.
Great serve.
It all depends on Greenwood’s pace and quality of the ball” as Leeds recovered from the 1-3 loss.
Greenwood can not only help Boro in the game.
Long before Carrick arrived at the club, they often had difficulty appearing as a threat from set pieces.
Neil Warnock especially regretted this fact during his tenure.
However, Greenwood is known at Leeds for the quality of his coordination, both from free-kicks and corners.
Former Leeds player Jon Newsome, who co-comments Leeds matches on BBC Radio Leeds, noted this during an appearance for the club last season.
Newsome said then:
“I think Sam did well when he arrived.
His set-piece performance was fantastic.
I think that’s something we really struggled with.
“
That’s something Leeds Live has learned and Greenwood wants to develop from an early age.
His former Sunderland academy teammate, Tom Howard, told our sister site:
“He trains every day at the warehouse in Sunderland.
He practices free kicks and corners with both feet, and that works in games because he scores a lot of goals from set pieces.
He wants to give his all and that is a very good example.
Considering Boro lost more than 60 goals for his side last season when Chuba Akpom was sold to Ajax and the loan deals of Ryan Giles, Cameron Archer and Aaron Ramsey came to an end, there are plenty Possible means to split teams and score goals.
More goals is a clear advantage and something Carrick and Boro hope Greenwood will bring.
Middlesbrough completed his 11th signing in the summer transfer window.
Sam Greenwood became Middlesbrough’s 11th signing of the summer transfer window, as the versatile striker joined Leeds United for a season.
Able to play as a midfielder and forward, it seems Boro signed him with the aim of competing for the role behind the main striker that was bolstered by the excellent Chuba Akpom last season.
Since Emmanuel Latte Lath’s arrival, Morgan Rogers has played that role, while Matt Crooks scored in Tuesday’s win over Bolton Wanderers from that position.
But Michael Carrick often talks about the benefits of having such flexibility in the team, especially in the attacking areas.
The 21-year-old would certainly make that offer and has turned down numerous offers from other Championship clubs to move to Riverside.
Carrick says:
“Sam is a really talented player.
It has two legs and gives us more flexibility.
We look forward to working with him and Lewis O’Brien and helping them grow as players.
Greenwood, who has made 25 Premier League appearances since joining
Leave a Reply