Victor Orta’s six-year stint at Leeds United was nothing short of a roller-coaster. When he arrived in 2017 alongside Andrea Radrizzani and Angus Kinnear, the Spaniard immediately stamped his authority. Hiring Marcelo Bielsa proved a masterstroke, sparking a revival that saw Leeds storm back into the Premier League after a 16-year absence.
Orta’s eye for value signings became his hallmark. He unearthed talents like Willy Gnonto for under £4 million, Illan Meslier for £5 million, and turned Raphinha into a hot commodity. His knack for snapping up promising youngsters cheaply and selling them for hefty profits underpinned Leeds’ financial stability.
Yet the tail end of his tenure was mired in controversy. Sacking Bielsa and installing Jesse Marsch backfired, while some 2022–23 signings flopped spectacularly. In my opinion, those missteps shouldn’t entirely eclipse the legacy of smart recruitment and youth development he leaves behind.
Leeds Hijacked Premier League Giants for Rising Star James Debayo
At just 15 years old, James Debayo became the latest jewel in Orta’s recruitment crown when Leeds beat Manchester United, Tottenham, Chelsea, Brighton, and Southampton to his signature. The Nigerian-born defender arrived from Watford in 2021, with whispers that he was already turning heads across England’s biggest clubs.
Debayo’s debut came under Daniel Farke in a pulsating 4–3 victory over Swansea, thrown into the fray in a high-pressure moment. He followed that up with a brief appearance in the FA Cup defeat to Millwall, taking his senior tally to two appearances, despite being an unused sub on 23 occasions in the Championship.
This move was a statement of intent from Leeds: they can still outfox wealthier challengers. I find it remarkable that a club outside the traditional top six continues to attract elite youth talent.
Debayo’s Next Chapter: Farke’s Defensive Gem or Risky Gamble?
Leeds have shown faith in Debayo by handing him a new contract, naming him among four academy standouts to earn fresh deals. Michael Skubala has already hailed him as “brilliant,” and the club’s retained list underscores their long-term belief in his potential.
Still only 19, Debayo benefits from daily training alongside first-team pros. His physicality and reading of the game mark him out as a possible future mainstay at the back. Yet he must now translate promise into consistency—a challenge many prodigious talents struggle to meet.
In my view, Debayo represents the best of Orta’s youth policy: high ceiling, minimal outlay. If he continues to develop under Farke’s guidance, he could prove to be one of Leeds’ shrewdest investments in years.
