Here's something ive just read about him from a few days ago..... The same can be said for Huggins, who has gone from playing in the Premier League at the Emirates against Arsenal to an almost inevitable departure. While the 20-year-old was unable to shine on what was a surprise first-team debut off the bench last season, he looked confident and more than competent in his 37-minute cameo. That was one of nine occasions on which he was included in Bielsa’s matchday squad in the top flight and, what’s more, he enjoyed a fine season with the Under-23s. He played on both flanks as a full-back and made appearances in midfield for Mark Jackson’s side en route to the Premier League 2 Division Two title before the summer came and it became apparent Leeds felt a loan, or a permanent transfer with the right terms, was an appropriate next step. The Yorkshire Evening Post understands an offer from a Championship club is on the table and Blackburn Rovers’ interest in the Wales Under-21 international is well documented, but nothing is imminent. Huggins signed a new contract last season, one that runs to the summer of 2023 but it would now be a surprise if he is still at Elland Road to see it through to expiration. For both youngsters the decisions taken in the next two weeks will be critical for their future, short term and long.
In a recent poll done on Football FanCast about whether Huggins deserves a chance to impress in the first team next season in the Premier League, 77% of Leeds fans who answered said yes (135 votes to 41). While the 20-year-old may not have exactly forced himself into the squad last season – he made just one solitary outing in the top flight – he was a key member of the under-23s squad under Mark Jackson which won the Premier League 2 Division 2 title (he scored twice and provided one assist in 17 games). England international and Leeds team-mate Kalvin Phillips – who is currently at Euro 2020 – is also a big fan of the left-back, saying last summer: “We’ve got a few younger lads called Niall Huggins and Alfie McCalmont. They’re really good young players as well. They’ll be in the team in the next year or so, definitely.” That Phillips suggested Huggins would be ready around this point, as well as his fine performances for the under-23s, makes Bielsa’s decision to let him go – on a permanent basis at that – a baffling one.
Yeah, I saw that. Almost as if they both knew it was done so had a quick chat about the lad and then an article ready to publish.
another young lad, another versatile player, another getting rave reviews from fans and team mates, another one to 'grow' with us...have safc swapped with another club or summit? my own take on this season as things stand, we are going to have a wee bit of a 'stuttering' start mainly due to the new faces and young lads finding their feet as for most (if not all) it could be the first move away from the parent club...quite a step for any youngster. i then think we will be the team that finishes strong, the squad is already looking good, creating chances we were crying out for and there will be blips like burton...i don't often stick my neck out but i feel this could be our season.
A review from a Leeds fan... I think Johnson's the dwarf he's talking about Niall Huggins played for the first team against Arsenal last season. He started in midfield, moved to LW and then to LB. not bad going for a 19yo at the time because he actually played well. I have watched him the last couple if seasons for the U23s and remember our U23s have won the regional league and then the national league and last season won Prem2 Div2 by a country mile. Huggins was one of the top stars and finished up on the first team bench. He mainly plays LWB or LW and is fast and skilful and beats people for fun. Defenders dont like him because he turns them inside out and has end product with plenty of assists and scores goals too. If the dwarf knows where he can do damage you will have a star on your hands
I think that lad is starting to learn a very harsh lesson. It seemed he was debating if we were worthy of him. I could be corrected here but it doesn't seem on the face of it like there's a lot of interest in him from elsewhere and there's every chance we'll be telling him he's not really wanted here anymore. I wouldn't be surprised to see him end up in league 2 tbh.
He has been very silly imo. He will end up being a 'trialist' somewhere. With his injury record I can't see why anyone would take a punt permanently without checking him out first.
I reckon so, from what Johnson's said about how many he wants for cover in defence, Winchester and Neil being able to fill in and him wanting a small squad, I believe Hume will be surplus now.
It's hard to tell mate. It seems we made him an offer which he turned down and we've made him another,perhaps not as good. The problem with him is his long term injury,which he really needs to sort once and for all,and could be why he's short of offers from elsewhere...if indeed that is the case. If we sign this lad from Leeds,it would seem as though we would be covered in that area and as much as I think Denver would be an asset on the left side going forward,I agree with you......I can't see we would need him,particularly if he is going to take a while to get fit.
Spot on about Gooch, far too inconsistent even at this level. He’ll run all day but rarely puts in a quality cross and only seems to manage a shot on target ever other game if that. Time to rest him and give someone else a chance.
Yep,Niall in and particularly if we get the lad from Exeter I would say defensively we're sorted. No place for Denver.
Other clubs will be looking at his injury, combined with the fact they’ll need to pay us a fee, combined with the fact he doesn’t have the greatest defensive qualities.
