Opinion: Free-scoring starlet sold by Leeds United in 2023 can make rapid EFL rise
03/04/2024 10:56
Leeds United looked to have another youth star on their hands in the form of Max Dean, only to sell him in January 2023.
Leeds United saw Dean work his way through the academy ranks and into their U21s setup. There, he notched 16 goals in 38 games and put in a host of impressive performances to get fans excited for his future.
However, when U21s boss Mark Jackson took over at MK Dons, he moved to bring Dean with him.
It would prove to be an ill-fated move for the manager as the club were relegated to League Two and he was sacked. Amid MK’s struggles, Dean wasn’t able to hit the ground running either, scoring once in his nine League One outings over the second half of last season.
In the 2023/24 campaign though, Dean has been on fire. His momentum was stunted by a spell on the sidelines between February and March but he’s managed three goals and two assists in three outings since returning to take his tally to 15 goals and three assists in 28 games overall.
His most recent strike was an absolute peach too, firing home from range in the 3-3 draw with Notts County over the Easter weekend.
MK Dons are looking to rise up the leagues and they are in with a good chance of promotion this season. They sit 4th in the League Two table, two points off Wrexham in 3rd with four games left to play.
And, while they may rise to League One themselves, a striker of Dean’s talents is capable of making a bigger jump up the ladder after taking the gamble to leave Leeds United for the fourth-tier.
A rapid rise up the leagues?
Form like Dean’s doesn’t go unnoticed for long. In fact, during a run of eight goals in nine games earlier this season, it was said that the former Whites starlet had drawn interest from elsewhere.
Moments of magic like his goal against Notts County will catch the eye. His explosive 35-minute return of two goals and two assists in the 5-0 thrashing of Walsall on Good Friday won’t have gone unnoticed either.
With MK Dons, Dean has shown that he can do what he did in youth football on the first-team stage too. That is an indicator of a real prospect, and it should set him up well for a quick rise back up the EFL after his Leeds United exit.
He could yet rise up a league this season with Mike Williamson and co, but don’t be surprise if a big jump up the ladder comes calling for Dean sooner rather than later.
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