Adeyemi is on ‘another level’ during Leeds loan
CARDIFF City’s on-loan midfield man Tom Adeyemi believes his football education has been taken to a ‘different level’ since joining Leeds United on a season-long deal.
The 24-year-old, who was deemed surplus to requirements by the Bluebirds hierarchy in the summer, is currently earning rave reviews at Elland Road having impressed the club’s recently-appointed boss Steve Evans.
Adeyemi, who signed for Cardiff City from Birmingham City in a £1m plus deal in the summer transfer window last year, notched his second goal for Leeds, despite having lost a boot in the build-up, in United’s 2-1 victory over promotion-chasing Hull City on Saturday,
Aside from the goal, Adeyemi’s showing in a ‘box-to-box’ role prompted club boss Evans to describe his performance as ‘quite exceptional,’ a comment which ties in with the midfield man’s clear enthusiam for developing his career with the West Yorkshire giants.
“The focus here is on a different level to what I’ve know elsewhere in my career,” said Adeyemi, who was taken to Leeds, with a view to a permanent deal, by the club’s former boss Uwe Rosler.
“The following and the press headlines which surround the club show just how massive Leeds United are. It’s an eye-opener. We’re in the Championship, but this is a massive club.”
Adeyemi’s current form should be of significant interest to Cardiff City boss Russell Slade, especially with his team having lacked real dynamism in the middle of the park during recent times.
The 24-year-old produced some pretty pleasing stats against Hull with three shots, a 76% pass completion, two interceptions and three clearances to his name.
He was taken to Leeds by the club’s now former boss Uwe Rosler, who had had Adeyemi at Brentford. The club’s current owner, Massimo Cellino, liked him, too, but Cellino remains at risk of a Football League ban and has spoken about selling his stake in Leeds.
Amid all that, Adeyemi admitted that thoughts about his future are currently sitting at the back of his mind.
“I’m just focusing on doing as well as I can for Leeds,” he said. “The rest can take care of itself.
“I don’t know what the club’s plans are. Obviously I was brought in during the summer under different circumstances to what we’re in now.
“I honestly don’t know what will happen.”
Meanwhile, Adeyemi said his first goal at Elland Road which proved decisive in Saturday’s win over the Tigers – his first since a 2-1 win at Derby County in August – was a “special”. moment for him.
“Lewis Cook had a shot and I realised that my left boot had fallen off,” he said.
“I’m not sure if someone stood on my foot or not, but I managed to stay on my feet and put it in with the other foot.
“It’s only my second goal of the season, so it’s a big deal for me – my first at Elland Road which makes it special.”