The beauty of possessing such attacking depth – as Leeds United have discovered – is that it means you are never too reliant upon a single player for goals.
Because while Leeds United are the Championship’s top scorers, Joel Piroe is the only member of Daniel Farke’s squad to reach double figures thus far. Dan James, Wilfried Gnonto, Manor Solomon, Brenden Aaronson and Largie Ramazani – easing the burden on Piroe’s shoulders – have 23 between them.
Even defenders Jayden Bogle and Pascal Struijk have chipped in with three apiece.
Maccabi Tel Aviv found themselves in a similarly fortuitous situation when the goals of Dor Turgeman dried up recently.
The Israel international did not find the net for a month in league action. Yet, during Turgeman’s barren spell, Maccabi Tel Aviv were still unbeaten across five matches while hitting the target 11 times.
Yet, like when Joel Piroe fired Leeds past Stoke City with a Boxing Day brace, there was still considerable relief in the ranks when Turgeman broke his drought. The talented right-winger found the net at last during Saturday’s 5-1 thrashing of Ashdod.
A result which leaves Maccabi Tel Aviv just one single point off the top of the table.
And with the title on the line, no wonder The Yellows are determined to retain Turgeman until the summer, amid interest not only from England but also America and Spain.
Leeds United will have to pay £6m for Maccabi Tel Aviv ace Dor Turgeman
According to the Daily Mail, Leeds United have been scouting Dor Turgeman as they consider adding to their already well-stocked attacking ranks in January. Leeds are reportedly pursuing Burnley’s Mike Tresor too, while Hoffenheim forward Megrim Berisha has also been linked.
Maccabi Tel Aviv coach Zarko Lazetic is desperate for Turgeman to stay. The 21-year-old could yet be the difference between his side retaining the title they won in 2023, after all, and narrowly losing out to current frontrunners Hapoel Be’er Sheva.
“He has become a beast on the field,” Lazetic says, highlighting not only Turgeman’s output but also his willingness to defend from the front. “He is great in pressing [and] he scores goals. He is playing in really great shape.”
According to new claims from Israel-based publication Sport1, Maccabi Tel Aviv would demand a minimum of £6 million from any club looking to lure Turgeman away this month. It is understood that lower offers would be considered in the summer – somewhere in the region of £4 million – meaning Leeds, from a financial perspective, may be better off waiting in the knowledge that they probably have more than enough firepower already to blow most Championship opponents away.
Turgeman dreaming of La Liga switch as Leeds consider Mike Tresor
Now, Turgeman reportedly has reservations about moving to America. There are a host of MLS clubs showing in interest, chief among them Portland Timbers.
It appears that the Tel Aviv number nine is far more receptive, however, to offers from Spain. Sport1 claims that La Liga is currently Turgeman’s first-choice destination, with two as yet-unnamed Spanish clubs courting him.
Leeds, then, may have to look closer to home if they are determined to bring in a new forward this month.
The Clarets are unlikely to stand in Tresor’s way – Burnley boss Scott Parker discussed the Belgian’s future last week – but the team sitting one point off Leeds at the top of the table will understandably have doubts about selling or loaning to a direct title rival.
“I’m honestly not really sure,” Parker said when asked if Tresor, who has not played a Championship game all season, will stay at Turf Moor. “What I do know is that the club have put huge investment into Mikey [costing £16 million] and he’s obviously got quality.
“We need to get Mikey to a level where he’s fit and try and get him available for games to play for us and help us this year. That’s the main aim. That’s certainly what I’m doing and what we’re all doing.”
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