Finding a striker who will score Premier League goals guaranteed is one of the hardest challenges facing a sporting director, and so it turned out to be for Adam Underwood.
Leeds eventually brought in Dominic Calvert-Lewin. A free transfer, Calvert-Lewin rejected a mammoth £18m deal to join Fenerbahce, while Man United, Newcastle and Milan were all interested in a deal.
The 11-time England man has scored one goal so far for Leeds, but boasts an XG of 2.78 in all six of his Leeds appearances. He has missed big chances against Tottenham, Bournemouth and in the Carabao Cup.
Calvert-Lewin was not the only striker Leeds wanted to sign. Leeds made a £32m bid for Rodrigo Muniz, while Artem Dovbyk, Erdin Demirovic, Fotis Ioannidis, Nikola Krstovic, Beto and more were all linked.
Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty ImagesLeeds are now targeting a new striker that Sam Allardyce loves
With January approaching, LeedsUnited.News has been told that Leeds are keeping tabs on Chris Wood’s situation at Nottingham Forest. A lot depends on the future of Ange Postecoglou after his poor start.
But Wood is not the typical type of striker used by Postecoglou, and with Igor Jesus starring, it may see the New Zealand skipper’s game time reduce. That may allow Leeds to pounce come the January window.
Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images
Speaking on the No Tippy Tappy Football podcast, Sam Allardyce gave a glowing verdict of Wood. A striker who left Leeds for Burnley for £15m back in 2017, Allardyce says Wood is proving everyone wrong.
“He’s shut everyone up, hasn’t he? He’s not a striker, he’s not good enough for the Premier League, he’s this and that. He did it at Burnley, kept Burnley in the league for many years, and got them into Europe.
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“He’s not fashionable, is Chris. He’s not slick; he hasn’t got long hair. But he does the job brilliantly. His instincts for goalscoring, fantastic. Fabulous goalscorer,” former Leeds manager Allardyce summarised.
Chris Wood and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s PL numbers compared
Both strikers have spent the best part of a decade in the Premier League. Calvert-Lewin with Everton and now Leeds, while Wood spent most of that time with Burnley before Newcastle and now, at Forest.
The duo are both throwbacks to the typical, physical centre-forward. A dying art that has been somewhat resurrected thanks to the emergence and brilliance of Erling Haaland, and his form at Manchester City.
Everton
Newcastle
Burnley
Leicester
West Brom
Whether Leeds actually need another striker is up for debate. As long as Calvert-Lewin can remain fit, the need for a new centre-forward seems small. If Leeds are to enter the market, it could be for a no.10.