Watford have completed the signing of English striker Rhys Healey from Ligue 1 side Toulouse on a free, after he chose not to remain with the French outfit – but surely he is exactly the kind of player Leeds needed this summer.
Healey, 28, endured a difficult 2022-23 season. Having joined Toulouse from MK Dons in the summer of 2020, he has starred for the French side. In his first two seasons, Toulouse were in the second tier – clocking up 73 games.
In that time, he scored an impressive 37 goals – also laying on seven more assists. He was crucial in Toulouse’s promotion back to Ligue 1 in 2021-22. But in the opening stages of 2022-23, Healey ruptured his cruciate ligament.
It came after just three Ligue 1 games in 22-23, scoring in a win over Troyes and proving he can score goals in the top flight. Returning from injury for the final moments of the season against Monaco, he came on in injury time.
As fate would have it, Healey netted a winner to beat Monaco 2-1. A parting gift for Toulouse fans, as Healey has now returned to these shores with Watford. The kind of striker that Leeds really needed to bring to Elland Road.
Watford complete Healey signing, exactly kind of player Leeds needed
Leeds need a striker this summer. One that can score goals at this level and given his form for Toulouse in France’s second tier and subsequent goals in Ligue 1 during his four appearances last season, Healey would have been ideal.
A striker that just knows how to score goals. Speed, work rate, decent in the air, strength – he has it all, which is required in the Championship. Leeds cannot rely on Patrick Bamford, while Rodrigo and Georginio Rutter could go.
If Leeds need to offload players to balance the books, then a free agent might have been the route to go down and signing Healey would have saved up a whole heap of cash. Instead, we’ve missed a trick – and he’s gone to Watford.
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