Since Archie Gray, no other Thorp Arch product has managed to start a game for Leeds United, other than Sam Chambers. Daniel Farke has a clear admiration for the young attacker.
When Daniel Farke was announced as Leeds manager in the summer of 2023, Archie Gray immediately became the wonderkid talent of the German’s side and played north of 50 games during his first season.
But following Gray’s departure to Tottenham, only one youngster has actually started a game for Leeds. Charlie Crew, Rhys Chadwick and Harry Gray have all broken into the senior set-up, but are yet to start.
Archie’s younger brother Harry is fit again and made his comeback from a hip injury on Sunday with the 21s. But it is only Sam Chambers who has started a game; the FA Cup defeat to Millwall in January 2025.
Sam Chambers looks dejected with his hands on his hips during Leeds United vs Millwall in the FA Cup.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
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At the beginning of October, Chambers made his first Leeds outing since pre-season. The Scotland youth international came on in an EFL Trophy defeat to Fleetwood, and then on Sunday, started his first game.
Chambers suffered with glandular fever towards the end of last season, before featuring against Man United and SC Verl in pre-season. It was reported a minor issue kept him out of the Paderborn game.
It is unclear if that is the issue that has since seen him sidelined, but Chambers has now opened up on his fitness on Leeds’ website, after his first start of the season. A 2-2 Premier League 2 draw against Brighton.
“It is good for me. I think I have been a bit unlucky. I have been out off and on for a while now but my body feels good. So, it is nice to be back out there and get some minutes,” Chambers told the website.
Sam Chambers in action for Leeds against Plymouth.
Photo by George Wood/Getty Images
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What Daniel Farke has said about Sam Chambers since his debut
Chambers actually made his Leeds debut alongside Crew and Josuha Guilavogui as a substitute in a 3-0 win over Plymouth in the Championship last season. Chambers was then handed a start in The FA Cup.
After his first start earlier this year, Chambers earned praise from Farke: “We won’t rush it with him, he has to learn a little bit, there were promising signs. For a young player, it’s easier to come into the first team.
“He needs to work on his physical skills and fitness a bit more. He has the skill to create end product, good finisher, and has a good intensity with his runs. This is what he brings to the game,” Chambers said.
Whether Chambers makes a third Leeds outing this season remains to be seen, but it might be better for the Scot that he goes on loan in January to a club in the Football League and earns some minutes there.