There was a good post on this. Basically, Barca felt that Lederman got screwed over in the youth transfer saga, and his associated suspension, so they brought him back. At the same time, this also allowed them to give a big "******** you" to FIFA. Besides, their youth model requires having a boatload of youth players in the mix anyways, knowing the vast majority will never make it.
PAOK posted some very PAOK-centric highlights of this match from early last month. Lederman can be seen a couple times. Nothing too noteworthy, just running and the like. But if you want to see him chasing down Omar El Kaddouri to the tune of Mick Jagger, then head to 2:07 and it'll be quite the moment. http://tv.paokfc.gr/video/i-parakamera-tou-paok-gandi-k23 Also found a comment from Gent's fan forum from around this time in which one poster says: Google Translate: "A lot of qualities but still a "children's body" (I heard it said, not seen it myself.)" So that's fairly interesting. Maybe he needs to hit up Eddie Johnson for some grown-ass man training.
"Will Lederman get enough time to be a letterman? Ben Lederman at KAA Gent." "A gent at Gent*-Ben Lederman in Belgium *Yeah, I know"
Well, the complicated thread titles should probably be saved for the grown up YA forum, but I can't help hearing Betterman in my head when I read Lederman (probably not even pronounced that way. He dreams in Gent: Can find a Lederman
Found just a little bit about his recent games. Missed a penalty in Gent II's match against Lokeren on 8/13. He played in some type of youth match against HO Kalken last Friday. Basisopstelling voor HO I - @KAAGent (beloften) pic.twitter.com/kINLturcBm— KFC HO Kalken (@HOKalken) August 17, 2018 One supporter briefly commented on him: Google Translate:"Lederman (unremarkable) fell in the second half" I'm not sure what "fell" means here (maybe injured or played poorly?). But still, "unremarkable" isn't super encouraging, and there were a couple other fans questioning why he was brought in (another responded that he was just "reinforcement" for the reserves). Obviously, I'm just relaying what I've seen online. He's probably still adjusting a bit and there's still plenty of time in the season to make a positive impression.
On the bench for the reserves: Reserves 1A ⚽️ Line-up @KAAGent pic.twitter.com/YQLtAi7LrC— RSC Anderlecht (@rscanderlecht) August 27, 2018
I love this kid’s path and his position firmly under the radar. 💪🏽 @KAAGent pic.twitter.com/stFgvlJ2Wk— Ben Lederman (@Ben_Lederman10) September 8, 2018
I think spending your youth years at La Masia is a great path, and the narrative of “Oh my God he isn’t starting in Europe for his Belgian club at 18 years old three weeks after joining the team!” from people like you who seem to represent the dismissive, short-sighted majority in our country is actually a nice platform to come from for a young player if he works hard. He’s already had his little humbling and he can focus on becoming a good professional. You know, I think we need to evolve a little bit as a fan base with our perspective. But go ahead and write him off, I think that helps.
??? Maybe some of our fan base is evolved enough to understand that more than fifty percent of La Masia players at his age never have a significant professional careers, and all signs point to Lederman being in the unfortunate majority. There’s simply no reason to think right now he will break through aside from the magic La Masia pixie dust. Also, he’s not starting FOR THE RESERVES. Compare him to Weah, Sargeant, and other players who are making waves at the same age. He’s simply not shown anything to be optimistic about.
Not sure he’s even a “pro” or is still on a youth/amateur type contract, but he’s one Ive identified as not likely to make it, like the majority of any country’s prospects. I’m sorry if this burns your soul.
The only thing is that with him going over at such an early age and to such a hallowed club that the tag of prodigy clung to him and with it high expectations. Remember this was a player featured in the New York Times at the age of 12, I believe. It seemed he was destined for greatness, and now it seems to be heading south. A bit similar to the case with Martin Odegaard, who is also a pro at 19, playing on a decent side in a decent league, but it's not quite up to what everyone was expecting when Real Madrid signed him at 15 or 16. Not saying the two are the same, but the circumstances are.
Anyone who had high expectations based on him being at La Masia at 12 didn’t understand how it works. The chances of any given La Masia 12 year old playing with the Barca first team is less than ten percent. Also, Odegard was actually playing for the first team in Norway before he moved to Real Madrid, as opposed to Ben who has never appeared on any first team.
Sure, they're not exact fits by any means, but both seemed precocious talents, heading for bigger and better, sooner rather than later. It's still early days for him, but it seems he's dropped. That doesn't mean he still can't turn it around, and maybe that's exactly what happens in Belgium.
Odegaard was an internationally recognized prospect playing very well in Norway as a young teenager. RM snapped him up. I’m contrast, BL was never expected to be heading to any bigger or better things. He was just another nameless face at La Masia.
Just saw that Lederman started for Gent's U-21s last week and played the full 90 in a 4-2 away loss to Kortrijk. He also wears the number 10 jersey: https://www.kaagent.be/nl/supporter/news/25-09-2018/beloften-onderuit-tegen-kvk
Scores again for U21s (20 second mark in the video): Net als onze A-ploeg eerder dit seizoen, wonnen onze beloften gisteravond in Eupen met 2-3 (doelpunten van Kapuadi, @Ben_Lederman10 en Dolet). Meer info via https://t.co/FlcXYupCje #U21 #EupGnt #beloften pic.twitter.com/qADZt4S1JR— KAA Gent (@KAAGent) October 9, 2018
Fantastic! Neither of his goals have been pretty, but it is great that he is getting himself in the right positions inside of the box. And based on the team sheets, he was one of the younger players in the starting XI. Hopefully he keeps it up and solidifies that starting spot. We might have to wait a while to see him again, though, as Gent's website lists that the next match for the U21s isn't until the 22nd against Lokeren. It's also worth mentioning that there were some beautiful goals in that match. That Jossue Dolet kid could be one to watch.