Former Aston Villa striker Gabby Agbonlahor believes Ian Poveda has already played his last game for Leeds United after making a loan move to Blackburn Rovers this season, speaking to Football Insider.

The 21-year-old first signed for the Whites from Manchester City back in January 2020 for an undisclosed fee, making four appearances in their promotion-winning 2019/20 campaign before appearing 18 times in the Premier League as a semi-regular player under Marcelo Bielsa last term.

Despite these appearances, his status as an England youth international and his time at the likes of Barcelona, Chelsea and Manchester City as a youngster, Poveda has been deemed surplus to requirements at Elland Road for the time being and has been sent out on loan to Blackburn Rovers.

 

 

Tony Mowbray's side has been key to the likes of Tosin Adarabioyo and Harvey Elliott's careers in recent years, with the latter recording 18 goal contributions in the second tier last term and Jurgen Klopp now keen to retain the 18-year-old for their Premier League campaign.

Leeds United will be hoping the Lancashire side will have the same impact on 21-year-old Poveda, who could potentially be kept out of the Whites' starting lineup in the long term by Jack Harrison and Raphinha, who are both regular starters in West Yorkshire.

Speaking about the England youth international's prospects of re-establishing himself as an important part of the Premier League side's squad after his loan spell at Blackburn, ex-Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor said to Football Insider: "I think he’s played his last game for the club.

"He (Bielsa) looks like the sort of manager who doesn’t give second chances if you cross him.

"Maybe Poveda wants that as well. A new start where he can go and play his football where he gets on with the manager.

"Maybe it’s one that suits both player, manager and the clubs."

This could potentially put Blackburn Rovers on high alert who may wish to pursue another loan deal or a permanent move, if Poveda's move works out well this season.

The Verdict:

Poveda was reportedly dropped to Leeds United's Under-23s squad shortly before his arrival at Ewood Park, which is a bad sign for a man who made a respectable number of appearances in the top flight last term.

Instead of moving forward like Harvey Elliott has after his loan spell with Blackburn, Poveda has taken a few steps back and the opportunity to work with the likes of Bradley Dack and Ben Brereton Diaz could help him to regain his mojo.

Mowbray's side may not have goal machine Adam Armstrong at their disposal anymore after his move to Southampton - but they are likely to bring in a forward before the window closes which could allow Poveda to build up his assists tally and grab a few goals himself.

After a seemingly turbulent summer at Elland Road, this is exactly what he needs and Rovers may take the opportunity to reinvest some of the money received for Armstrong on Poveda, with Bielsa's side previously said to be open to a permanent deal.

Leeds United will be keen to keep on improving as they try to establish themselves as a solid Premier League side, but they will need the funds to do so and the potential sale of the 21-year-old could give the Championship club the perfect opportunity to snap him up.