Leeds United Faces Challenge from Resurgent Liam Cullen

Leeds United is notable for its numerous Welsh connections, colloquially known as ‘The Taffia,’ a group that now includes Charlie Crew alongside Karl Darlow, Ethan Ampadu, Joe Rodon, and Dan James. This Sunday, some of these players will compete against a fellow countryman, Liam Cullen, who played a pivotal role in securing Wales’ improbable promotion to the top tier of the Nations League on Tuesday. Liam Cullen’s initial two international goals gave Wales the lead by half-time. His subsequent assist for Brennan Johnson contributed to the third goal, before Harry Wilson powerfully struck home a fourth in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Cardiff City Stadium. It was a moment of great pride for the Welshman, who remarked that he had envisioned such an achievement “since I was kicking a ball really.” Cullen shared his long-held aspirations, stating, “I’ve always said I’ve wanted to play in a Swansea shirt and a Wales shirt as a senior and I want to score goals in the shirts as well. To get my first two tonight is a dream come true.” So, what kind of opponent does Leeds face in Tenby-born Cullen? The 25-year-old striker progressed through the Wales youth system, having trained under coach Craig Bellamy in the under-17s. With the exception of a half-season loan spell at Lincoln City, he has spent his entire playing career at Swansea. Cullen joined the Swans’ setup at the age of eight and was playing for the under-18s by the time he was 13. His impressive record of 17 goals in 21 appearances for the under-23s brought him to prominence, leading to his senior debut in the 2019-20 season. To date, he has scored 23 goals in 133 appearances. However, his club form had recently faltered, as he had not found the net for two months. Therefore, seeing his name on the scoreboard on Tuesday night was a timely boost. Cullen is accustomed to playing against Leeds, having experienced three defeats in three encounters so far. His first appearance against them was as a late substitute, during which he witnessed one of the most memorable moments in United’s recent history: former Swansea star Pablo Hernandez scored the decisive goal in a behind-closed-doors match, effectively confirming Leeds’ return to the Premier League after a 16-year absence. Last season, Cullen’s team suffered losses to Leeds with scorelines of 3-1 and 4-0. Despite his familiarity to many on Sunday, Cullen understands he faces a significant challenge not only to compete with but also to overcome a defensive unit that includes players like Joe Rodon. The determined centre-back remained unfazed by a head injury sustained during the goalless draw in Turkey. A week later, he will be closely monitoring a revitalized Cullen as Leeds strives to achieve their 10th Championship clean sheet.