There is some promising, youthful talent coming through the ranks, isn’t there? Huddersfield Town’s Elite Development Team and Academy have brought through some gems for Jan Siewert to work with during his reign.
Demeaco Duhaney and Aaron Rowe have been handed deserved debuts for the Terriers in the past month, with Rowe’s fellow 18-year-old, Matty Daly, also making the bench in the past three games. It is the former though, Duhaney, who could is seemingly the most viable option to overtake club captain Tommy Smith as the first-choice right-wing-back in the near future.
The former England youth international was released by Manchester City in the summer and picked up by Town, having played a key role in the Elite Development Squad ever since his arrival. It was in the 1-0 win at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers last month, that Duhaney debuted for Town, but, unfortunately, he had to be brought off at half-time through injury.
It is that hip injury sustained in the game which has kept him out of the side since which is very unlucky timing wise, as if he would have continued in the same vein as he did for his first-half debut, he would have surely had a further two games to show what he can do given Smith’s suspension. Who knows what the situation could be like now?
Despite Smith being Siewert’s captain, that should not mean he is a guaranteed starter whatever the circumstances. Everyone is aware of how poor the Terriers have been this season and part of the rejuvenation of the side will include Siewert utilising the talent he has at his disposal.
The remaining seven games of the season represent a fantastic opportunity for Siewert to continue to experiment with his squad and when fit, Duhaney deserves a run of games to see how he fairs against elite opposition. That way, Siewert can judge the level that he is at in comparison to his teammates and opponents, and judge if he can replicate that form next campaign if he is to impress.
Having observed Duhaney on multiple occasions for City’s youth sides, he is a great fit for either the right-wing-back role in a five-man defence or right-back in a back four. He is able to drive forward with the ball, either coming inside or going down the line to provide a service to the forwards. He is also adept defensively and has a good sense of positional awareness, which he will need to continue to develop to play such a role.
Everyone is aware how hard it is to break into City’s first-team, Duhaney got close to making his senior debut having sat on the bench in their EFL Cup quarter-final against Leicester City last season, however, it is here he can really establish himself as a first-team regular, challenge Smith’s role as first-choice in that position and potentially be his eventual successor.
