World Soccer - UK (2020-12)

Leeds United

In a sentence
Former MLS SuperDraft #1 pick that
scored Leeds United’s first Premier
League goal for16 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 fromJack. 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

WordsJamie Evans

Jack HARRISON

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 of13 shots per
  goal. The clinical streak he showed
  at Anfield must become a regular
  feature of his game.

3

THINGS TO

KNOWABOUT

HARRISON

lHarrison was actually picked by

Chicago Fire in the MLS SuperDraft,

but within 30 minutes had been

traded to New York City FC.

lHe played alongside Marcus

Rashford in Manchester United’s

academy before moving to America.

lThe ex-England U21 international

once said he’d have been a cricketer

if he hadn’t made it as a footballer.

M

L

S

E X P O R T S

“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