Michael Skubala’s departure from Leeds United for League One Lincoln City may provide loan opportunities for those in need of first-team minutes at Elland Road.
Michael Skubala more than deserves the opportunity to coach the first team at Lincoln City. During his time at Elland Road, the former Leeds United U21s manager caught the eye, working with and developing a number of young players before temporarily stepping up into the first-team environment.
The coach did himself no harm during his brief stint in the Premier League hotseat last season, and the senior role he has landed seemed like the next logical step in his career. However, with the January transfer window fast approaching, Skubala may be tempted to look to those players he knows so well.
With that in mind, here are five players who could join him at Sincil Bank during the January transfer window.
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Joseph Mateo
Joseph, like every other player on this list, requires first-team football, and given the level of competition, it appears that opportunities will be few and far between under Daniel Farke in the future. Skubala, of course, is very familiar with Joseph, having coached him during his impressive season with the U21s last season.
The new Lincoln manager has also spent time with him this season, welcoming him back into the youth team to make up for the minutes he has been missing at the senior level. As a result, he understands what he can bring to a League One team, and having seen him bulk up in recent months, he is confident he can handle the competition.
The Imps are the lowest scoring team in League One’s top half, and Joseph would certainly back himself to add goals to that squad.
Mr. Lewis Bate
Bate entered pre-season hoping to establish a senior role at Elland Road under Daniel Farke this season, but that hasn’t worked out. Instead, the midfielder, who was on loan at Oxford United in League One last season, has been forced to play youth team football this season.
Skubala has praised his attitude and ability this season, and if a gap develops in his new midfield, he may see Bate as a viable option, having worked closely with him for the first few months of the season. He’s well aware of Bate’s potential, and the youngster would seize any opportunity that came his way.
Gyabi, Darko
Gyabi came close to leaving on loan during the summer transfer window after failing to find a place in Farke’s first-team plans, but the deal fell through. As a result, he has been forced to return to the U21s, where he excelled last season.
He’ll undoubtedly be looking for loan opportunities in January, and joining forces with a coach he knows could make a lot of sense for him. Skubala knows what Gyabi is capable of, and with the right coaching and advice, he’ll back himself to bring out the midfielder’s best in League One if the opportunity arises.
Sean M. McGurk
This season, McGurk has really responded to Skubala’s methods, stepping up to the plate and giving his all on a regular basis in the U21s. He’s scored seven goals in all competitions this season, and his creative output has piqued the interest of many.
However, given the number of players ahead of him in the pecking order, first-team opportunities do not appear to be on the cards for Farke at the moment, and a loan in January may be his best bet. He doesn’t have a minute of senior experience, but the Lincoln boss knows what it takes to bring out the best in him.
Hjelde, Leo
Skubala has collaborated with Hjelde and is clearly a fan of the Norwegian’s talent, as he stated last month. It’s clear that Hjelde requires opportunities that don’t appear to be coming his way under Farke at the moment, after letting one slip through his fingers earlier in the season.
He was on loan at Rotherham United for the second half of last season, where he made 11 starts and gained valuable experience. However, he has the potential to be a key player in League One, and after a difficult first half of the season, such an opportunity should be considered.
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