LEEDS, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 16: Detail view of the Leeds United club badge on the corner flag prior to the Premier League match between Leeds United and Newcastle United at Elland Road on December 16, 2020 in Leeds, England.The match will be played without fans, behind closed doors as a Covid-19 precaution. (Photo by Rui Vieira - Pool/Getty Images)
Leyton Orient manager Richie Wellens knows on-loan Leeds United striker Sonny Perkins is not the finished article as he issued a reminder to his player following a positive debut.
Perkins was expected to kick on after moving to Elland Road from West Ham United in 2022, though in reality the weight of playing in the Premier League at the time was a big expectation to heap on any teenager. He has subsequently only made four appearances for the first team, mainly featuring for the Under-21s as he failed to make an impression on Daniel Farke.
Loaned out for the second time in as many seasons, Leyton Orient are the latest club to take him on a temporary basis. The 20-year-old has returned to the club he called home up until the age of 14, aiming to rediscover his playing rhythm and goalscoring verve.
The Os began preparations for the upcoming campaign this week, defeating local non-league club Hornchurch FC 7-0 in their first pre-season outing. Perkins scored the second of those strikes, slotting in from close range.
When asked about for his initial assessment of the Leeds loanee after the final whistle, Wellens gave an honest response regarding his new player.
“We’ve obviously watched Sonny a lot,” the manager explained. “Played centre-forward for West Ham. Really good in and around the six-yard box, penalty spot. He’s got loads of things we can work on, loads of things we can improve.”
Leeds no doubt recognise this as well, so it is just a matter of Perkins proving he can perform at a high level consistently over the coming year. His Elland Road contract is due to expire next summer, therefore any chance of a renewal will likely rest on his performances at Brisbane Road.
