Despite the rollercoaster Premier League season that they Whites have had, Stuart Dallas has been that one constant that they can rely on.
The 29-year-old has been all over the place for Marcelo Bielsa’s squad this season. Normally known as a winger, Dallas has played out of his natural position as a midfielder, full-back, or even a centre-back given their share of injuries to their key players.
He may not be a regular fixture in the Premier League 2021 highlights reel, but he has endeared himself to fans at Elland Road. And recently, he has gained an admirer in former Leeds boss David O’Leary.
“He is one of the players that is an unsung hero in many way. The big thing about him is the way he is adaptable to so many positions,” said O’Leary in a recent interview.
“When he has to play in all those different positions, he doesn’t let the side down in any way. I’m a big fan of his, I really am. I always think Leeds are a better team when he is in the lineup,” he added.
Today at SBOTOP, we take a look at the Northern Ireland international’s career so far – from his humble beginnings all the way to his arrival at Elland Road.
Dallas rose from obscurity
Football has always been with Stuart Dallas from the beginning as he started playing the sport at such a young age.
Dallas started his amateur career playing for Coagh United. And after a fruitful stint there, it didn’t take long for his talent to be spotted by scouts and eventually he was brought on by the Crusaders.
Since amateur football didn’t pay much, Dallas continued working 9-to-5 for his family friend’s business while earning £70-a-week playing part-time for the four-time Irish League champions in order to make ends meet.
In his first season for the Crusaders, Dallas tallied 16 goals in 38 appearances and earned six prizes at the Annual Player of the Year awards ceremony – including the Northern Ireland Football Writers’ Association Player of the Year and the Young Player of the Year.
In the next season, Dallas went on to score 10 goals in 47 appearances for the Crusaders. The winger also made two appearances in their Europa League tie against Fulham, although they lost 7-1 on aggregate.
As his stock continued to rise, Brentford moved quickly to sign him in 2012.
Brentford gave Dallas his first big break
Then-manager Uwe Rosler was a big believer of Stuart Dallas. However, Dallas’ first two years for Brentford didn’t go exactly as planned.
Dallas didn’t punch in a single goal in his first season with the Bees and he only made three appearances in the 2013/14 season – all of them in cup competitions.
He was eventually loaned out to League Two side Northampton Town to where he would find his breakthrough there.
As Northampton Town dealt with injuries to their key players, Dallas came in and made League Two his personal playground by notching assists and goals left and right.
Because of his superb play, Brentford couldn’t hold out any longer and they eventually brought Dallas back to Griffin Park.
Dallas became a household name for the Bees as he would help them move up to the Championship. Eventually, Leeds United came knocking on his door with a multiyear contract.
“Brentford, Mark and Uwe Rosler gave me that chance and I will be forever grateful for that. Having come from where I have, it makes me appreciate everything a little bit more,” said Dallas.
Dallas is now a cornerstone for Leeds United
Stuart Dallas became a key cog to Leeds United’s first trip back to the Premier League in 16 seasons in the only way he knows how. As per common practice, Dallas found himself often in the starting XI playing in a range of positions.
The Northern Ireland international made his Premier League debut in their first fixture of the season in a 4-3 defeat against Liverpool at Anfield.
He scored his first Premier League goal in a 4-1 loss against Leicester City last November. And on November 22, he registered his 200th appearance for the Whites – joining a select group of just under 70 players.
Leeds United’s Premier League 2021 odds of maintaining top-flight status remains intact as they are at 11th place, and Dallas has a huge role to why this is so.
His reliability and availability is what makes Leeds United versatile – qualities that make him one of the most underrated players in the league today.
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