Had things worked out differently, a player likely to feature in West Brom’s XI at Elland Road on Saturday have been lining up in the white shirt of Leeds United instead.
And, no, we are not talking about Alex Mowatt, a former Leeds United youth captain who’s departure all the way back in 2017 still rankles among some sections of the fanbase.
We are not even talking about John Swift. It is no secret that Marcelo Bielsa was a fan of the former Reading playmaker. To such an extent that barely a window went by without Swift being linked with a move to Elland Road a few years back.
Despite considerable deadline day speculation – and one South Coast chartered plane bound for West Yorkshire setting tongues wagging – Adam Armstrong would not become a Leeds United player after all.
In fact, the Southampton striker would join West Brom – another promotion-seeking second-tier outfit – instead on a loan deal until the end of the season.
Leeds United host Adam Armstrong’s West Brom with Daniel Farke wary
Now, Daniel Farke needs no introduction as to Armstrong’s talents ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime clash between The Whites and The Baggies at Elland Road.
Farke said Adam Armstrong was ‘the difference’ between Leeds and Southampton in last season’s play-off final. Quite literally, given that it was his ‘clinical’ finish which secured a Wembley win for The Saints.
In fact, across three games against Leeds last term, the former Newcastle United, Coventry City and Blackburn Rovers forward hit the target no fewer than four times as Southampton did the, erm, treble [?] over Farke’s outfit.
Nine months after Leeds’ play-off final no-show, the Championship table-toppers are set to welcome a familiar face to Elland Road. A face which could have been sitting atop a Red Bull logo had their deadline day pursuit of a number nine not ended with something of a bum note.
“He is a proven goalscorer at this level,” Farke said during his press conference on Thursday afternoon. “We also have to control the players who assist him.
“He’s scored so many crucial goals. One of the major tasks for the weekend [is to keep Armstrong quiet].”
Southampton paid an eye-watering £20 million to sign Armstrong back in 2021.
To some, a player averaging over 20 goals a season in his last three Championship campaigns would have almost guaranteed promotion for Leeds. Then again, Farke’s free-scoring outfit aren’t doing too badly without him right now.
Joel Piroe reached 15 with a ‘fabulous’ clincher at Sheffield United last time out. The Dutchman currently leads the way in the Golden Boot chase, joint-top alongside Norwich City’s out-of-form Borja Sainz.
Farke praises Tony Mowbray ahead of Championship meeting
Farke is expected to go all-in on a new number nine over the summer, meanwhile. Particularly if a return to the big time can be secured. Leeds reportedly like Wilson Isidor and Josh Sargent of Sunderland and Norwich City respectively.
Armstrong’s pretty dismal Premier League record – six goals in 88 appearances – means the quintessential Championship goal-getter is unlikely to return to Farke’s wishlist any time soon.
Leeds will be without captain Ethan Ampadu when they take on Armstrong and co. The Baggies remain in fifth despite a mixed start to the Tony Mowbray era.
“West Brom are a pretty strong side. They are in fifth. For that, we have to be switched on and keep going in the small details,” Farke says. “I’m not getting too carried away. We want to ride this momentum.
“I like when you see a manager works methodically. [Mowbray’s] principles are always clear to see.
“We have faced sides fighting for the top two and you have to be patient. You never know before the game [what the opposition will be like but] West Brom are always very structured behind the ball.
“I like Mowbray’s ‘handwriting’. He loves [his team] to play football. They have dominated possession like no other team in this division. They have lots of experience and have lots of high quality players. Since he took over, he has more than 60% possession in his games.
“I really like his approach, especially against the ball.”
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