Leeds United’s striker department could be in line for a shake up this summer, especially if the Whites go on to earn promotion.
Leeds United fans have had a lot to say about Joel Piroe recently. The Dutchman hasn’t scored in eight games now but remains the club’s top scorer in the Championship with 15 goals to his name.
Last time out, though, Piroe had six shots off target against Preston North End, albeit Leeds United won the game 2-1, but it could’ve been a much smoother afternoon.
Leeds United fans have called for Piroe to be dropped and replaced with Patrick Bamford who’s recently made his return to action after several months on the sidelines.
The Leeds favourite had an impressive cameo upon his return having a goal disallowed against Middlesbrough in controversial circumstances.
But whether or not Farke makes a somewhat drastic call by dropping Piroe and replacing him with Bamford against Oxford United on Friday, in such a crucial game, remains to be seen.
Lee Hendrie says Evan Ferguson would be a ‘great addition’ for Leeds United
Evan Ferguson has become a talking point of late. Leeds United wanted to sign Ferguson on loan in the January transfer window but he moved to West ham instead, where he’s since struggled with no goals in six Premier League appearances for the Hammers.
Fans have been disappointed with what they’ve seen from the 20-year-old who was tipped as one of the best young strikers in Europe not so long ago, with a £100million price tag. Ahead of the summer, Ferguson is being linked with Leeds United once again, this time as a potentially permanent transfer.
Speaking about the link, pundit Lee Hendrie told Football League World: “A £45 million price tag could be a bit of a gamble for a club that’s being promoted into the Premier League, rather than a more established striker who knows where the back of the net is. Yes, he knows where the back of the net is, but there’s always a worry when you’re spending that much money on a player who could get injured. He’s had that injury form of late.
“He would be a great addition to the Leeds squad and may be an upgrade on Joel Piroe, who I think is still capable of producing good moments for Leeds. Obviously, they’ll get rid of the likes of Bamford, and they need someone who can score goals in the Premier League if promoted.”
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The right profile, but the wrong player as Leeds United eye Evan Ferguson
On paper, Ferguson is definitely the type of player that Leeds United should be looking at: young, a proven track record, an obvious desire to settle down and play regular football, and the potential to go on and become a very valuable asset for the club.
But Hendrie makes a very good point about the risk of injury. Leeds United will have limited resources in the summer and £45million would be a huge chunk of their summer budget. If they spent that on Ferguson and he picked up an injury soon after, Farke and the 49ers would be left reeling.
And Ferguson hasn’t exactly shown any promise with West Ham and so there’s not really any recent evidence to say that Leeds United should make him their club record signing this summer.
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