Arsenal and France legend Patrick Vieira has suggested that on-loan Leeds United winger Jack Harrison is ready to play in the Premier League.

The Manchester City man joined Leeds for his second consecutive season-long loan at the club in the summer and has been a mainstay in Marcelo Bielsa’s side this season.

The 22-year-old has started in every single game so far this season, keeping blockbuster summer signing Helder Costa out of the side.

Speaking to the Athletic, Vieira, who coached him at MLS side New York City, indicated that the Englishman was ready to take the step up into the top flight.

He said: “Oh yeah (he’s good enough for the Premier League).

“I don’t have a doubt about that. Jack is that good.

The ex-Gunners captain added: “I don’t think he realises how good he is.

“Technically he’s got a real gift. I saw it as soon as I watched him. It was all there.”

According to Vieira, the winger’s talent was clear even before he coached him in New York.

He explained: “We saw videos of him and something I really liked was how comfortable he was on the ball, how well he could dribble and how fast he could move with the ball at his feet.

“I liked how direct he was.

“I’d been at Manchester City coaching the Under-21s and he impressed me to that same level. We were sure we wanted to sign him and we made sure we did.”

Leeds do have an option to make Harrison’s current loan deal permanent in the summer.

The Verdict

Vieira is a Premier League legend, having made over 300 appearances in the division and won it on three occasions, so this is high praise indeed.

The 22-year-old appears to have the full faith of Marcelo Bielsa, with the Argentine coach having brought him back for a second season and started him in every game this season, which will likely be a huge boost for the player.

It is going to be interesting to see whether Leeds use the option to make Harrison a permanent squad member but you feel that it will be reliant on the Whites achieving promotion.