Jack HARRISON

Leeds United

In a sentence

Former MLS SuperDraft #1 pick that scored Leeds United’s first Premier League goal for 16 years.

What they say

“He has something important that only a few players have – when he has the ball at his feet, you get the sensation something special is going to happen.”

Former New York City FC team-mate, David Villa

“I think there are a lot of big things to come from Jack. I like him, he’s a great lad, great ability.”

Chelsea manager and former New York City FC team-mate, Frank Lampard

The story so far

As far as English players go, Harrison’s route to the Premier League has been unique.

Disillusioned by her son’s experience in the academies of first Liverpool and then Manchester United, Jack’s mother Debbie enrolled him in Berkshire School, Massachusetts, with the then 14-year-old’s football ability earning him a full scholarship. The move worked out perfectly and, within a few years, Harrison was lining up alongside Frank Lampard, David Villa and Andrea Pirlo for New York City FC.

Ten goals in the 2017 season earned him a move to NYCFC’s sister-club Manchester City, and for the last three seasons he has been on loan in the Championship, first with Middlesbrough and more recently with Leeds.

Last season he played every match as Marcelo Bielsa’s side finished top of the Championship, and the transfer window saw him agree to a third consecutive season at Elland Road. He showed his class on his first Premier League game by scoring an expertly taken finish at Anfield.

The next step

As a huge fan of Bielsa, Pep Guardiola believes that Harrison is learning his trade at the perfect club. If the winger’s progress continues, he has every chance of competing for a place in City’s attack next season.

Strengths

Harrison has quick feet and a dangerous left foot, but also does everything that Bielsa expects of his forwards without the ball – only six wingers made more tackles in the Championship last season.

Weaknesses

In last season’s Championship, Harrison took 78 shots, including 51 inside the penalty area, yet only scored six times – that’s an average of 13 shots per goal. The clinical streak he showed at Anfield must become a regular feature of his game.

“When he has the ball at his feet, you get the sensation something special is going to happen” David Villa, Former New York City FC team-mate