Victor Orta exclusive interview, part 3 - Leeds United's new loans policy gives clubs financial incentive to hand Whites youngsters minutes

EFL clubs are still in line to take Leeds United’s Robbie Gotts on loan, as the Whites continue to implement Victor Orta’s new policy.
OFF OUT - Leeds United midfielder Robbie Gotts is expected to land a loan deal before Friday's domestic window deadline. Pic: GettyOFF OUT - Leeds United midfielder Robbie Gotts is expected to land a loan deal before Friday's domestic window deadline. Pic: Getty
OFF OUT - Leeds United midfielder Robbie Gotts is expected to land a loan deal before Friday's domestic window deadline. Pic: Getty

Previously, young players on the fringe of the first team like Gotts were not sent out on loan because they were considered too vital to life at Thorp Arch, where they take part in the weekly murderball sessions and develop under the watchful eye of Marcelo Bielsa.

But promotion to the Premier League has allowed Orta and his recruitment team to bolster the club’s ranks of young talent with new faces from domestic and foreign markets, freeing up players in need of senior football experience to go and get it elsewhere. If a deal can be struck for Gotts, who has courted interest from Huddersfield Town, Hull City, Lincoln City and Doncaster Rovers, he will join Ryan Edmondson, Alfie McCalmont, Jordan Stevens, Bryce Hosannah and Mateusz Bogusz in getting competitive match minutes at another club.

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Leeds are confident their young prospects will see game time, because of a financial incentive on offer for the loan clubs.

“It is true that we’re starting a process where we try to improve the loans in terms of creating a penalty for if the player doesn’t play,” said Orta in an exclusive interview with the YEP.

“We’re not being focused on trying to recover money from the loan, we’re trying to recover performance from the loan.”

Simply put, if the player plays then the loan club get him for a nominal cost. If he doesn’t play, they pay a higher price.

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So, in the case of McCalmont at League Two Oldham, for example, they get a player expected to be able to perform at that level for next to nothing if they can give him the game time Leeds want him to have.

SENIOR EXPERIENCE - Ryan Edmondson is getting match minutes with Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen, while on loan from Leeds United. Pic: GettySENIOR EXPERIENCE - Ryan Edmondson is getting match minutes with Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen, while on loan from Leeds United. Pic: Getty
SENIOR EXPERIENCE - Ryan Edmondson is getting match minutes with Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen, while on loan from Leeds United. Pic: Getty

What it ensures is that clubs will think twice about taking a Leeds player just to make up squad numbers.

“League One and League Two clubs are in a new problem with no fans in the stadiums,” said Orta.

“We discussed it for the new era of League One and League Two salary caps and we’re trying to prove it works with Swindon and Bradford, if the player doesn’t play having a penalty.

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“For us it’s been interesting because Jordan [Stevens] started the loan really well with Swindon.

“If a team in League One and League Two really want a player then it’s a good synergy with us. It’s a really good idea for both cases.”

READ: Part one of our exclusive interview with Victor Orta as he talks about midfielders of interest and Leeds' summer 2020 transfer window.Stevens has already enjoyed three starts in League One, contributing a goal and an assist, while McCalmont, away on international duty this week, has a pair of 90-minute outings for Oldham under his belt.

North of the border, Edmondson is yet to start for the Dons but has come off the bench in their last three Scottish Premiership games and got a brief taste of Europa League action in Portugal, after a short spell back at Thorp Arch to receive treatment for an ankle issue.

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READ: Part two of our interview with Orta, addressing Rodrigo De Paul and Ryan Kent speculation.Orta would be delighted for another of the club’s prospects to gain similar experience.

“The window is still open,” he said.

EFL clubs can have options with the young players. Even if we can put any young players to play in League One or League Two to help with his progression, I will be happy if one of them can get minutes in a professional level.”