Leeds United inside track: Oli McBurnie and Andy Yiadom scouting reports

Leeds United have been strongly linked with moves for Barnsley duo Oli McBurnie and Andy Yiadom this summer - but how did they fare on Saturday against the Whites during their 2-1 defeat?
Andy Yiadom in action at Elland Road.Andy Yiadom in action at Elland Road.
Andy Yiadom in action at Elland Road.

Leeds boss Paul Heckingbottom is a keen admirer of Reds skipper Yiadom, who is out of contract this summer, while loanee McBurnie earned gushing reviews ahead the derby day fixture.

Oli McBurnie

The 21-year-old has notched eight goals in 14 games for Barnsley since joining the club on loan in January just a week before Heckingbottom took up the hot seat at Elland Road.

Andy Yiadom in action at Elland Road.Andy Yiadom in action at Elland Road.
Andy Yiadom in action at Elland Road.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Whites boss is a long time admirer of the Leeds-born forward seeing a move last August fall through on deadline day due to paperwork complications.

McBurnie lined-up on the left wing on Saturday afternoon in the 2-1 defeat and although there were glimpses of his obvious ability and form, much like Jose Morais' side throughout the afternoon, he never really got going to put his talent on display.

Although his stature suggests otherwise he is deceptively strong and shrugged off the challenge of make-shift full-back Matthew Pennington on a number of occasions. McBurnie has the striker's instinct of being in the right place at the right time and it almost paid off as he looked to have levelled proceedings in the second half.

Connor Mahoney picked out the forward with a cross from the right who tapped home from close-range but as he wheeled away he saw the offside flag raised. McBurnie cut a frustrated figure as the Reds struggled in the closing stages and often overplayed attempting too much trying to force the issue of an equaliser.

Oli McBurnie.Oli McBurnie.
Oli McBurnie.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

With his Swansea contract having a year left to run a deal may be able to be struck for the former Thorp Arch trainee but after a brilliant run of form at Oakwell the Whites won't be the only club chasing his signature.

Saturday's showing was a poor afternoon for McBurnie and can be filed in the one to be forgotten section, you'd imagine though if United did land any deal for him he would be played more centrally in his preferred position leading the line.

Andy Yiadom

The 26-year-old was signed by Heckingbottom in 2016 from Barnet and has made 30 Championship appearances this term after seeing a move to the Premier League fall through with first Swansea and then Huddersfield Town failing to get any deal completed.

Andy Yiadom.Andy Yiadom.
Andy Yiadom.

Yiadom skippered the Reds on Saturday afternoon but in all honesty struggled to settle into the game in the early stages and was at the heart of a mix up which allowed Ezgjan Alioski in on goal where he really should've done better.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A committed full-back who is predominately right-footed but can play on either flank, Yiadom was always looking to drive Barnsley forward but generally found himself turning back towards his own goal as Alioski, Pablo Hernandez and Samuel Saiz found much joy attacking the left side.

There were slight glimpses of his no nonsense approach as he timed a brilliant challenge on his Macedonia counterpart to deny a golden opportunity for Leeds to add to their lead at 2-1 but in a team low of confidence Yiadom looked a fragile figure.

Heckingbottom is a keen admirer of the full-back but with Luke Ayling to return from injury this summer is does beg the question of how, if signed, he fits into United's planning going forward.

Andy Yiadom in action at Elland Road.Andy Yiadom in action at Elland Road.
Andy Yiadom in action at Elland Road.

Those who watch him regularly rate him highly but another wrong-footed left-back is not high on the list of priorities for Leeds. Out of contract and on a free Yiadom could well be worth the punt though even as competition for the starting XI despite a poor showing on a difficult afternoon for the relegation-threatened Tykes.