[ad_pod ]
Speaking to Football Insider, Noel Whelan has highlighted the problem position that Leeds United need to fix.
Unsurprisingly, the BBC Radio Leeds pundit pointed out that the Whites’ inability to finish chances has been a big issue, and he said that they need a striker to come in this summer.
What’s been said then?
The former striker offered his old club a piece of free transfer advice.
“Who knew about Pukki? No-one. Norwich went out and found him, and the result is Premier League football. That’s why you have scouts,” Whelan told Football Insider.
“Victor Orta is looking for the bargain basement players who can be a gem. They are out there, you just have to find them.
“It’s obvious, but Leeds need a striker capable of scoring 25 goals.
“That’s what’s been missing this season. I guarantee you Billy Sharp would have got 25 goals at Leeds this season. He doesn’t miss chances. You need someone who is clinical to put the ball in the back of the net.
“It’s the same with Pukki, I guarantee you he would score 25 goals at Leeds. So would Tammy Abraham. Find the hidden gem. Norwich did the groundwork behind the scenes. Sometimes you have to go above and beyond.”
Who?
The 44-year-old is right when he says that they need a striker capable of scoring 25 goals as their failure to find the back of the net is arguably what cost them promotion last season.
The problem lies in the scouting and unearthing a player who can net that many goals. For every Teemu Pukki, you have a Pierre-Michel Lasogga, and it is often hard for scouts to tell the difference.
These unknown imports can just as easily backfire as they can flourish, and Leeds may not be in a position to take that kind of risk.
Norwich did indeed strike gold with their Finnish hitman, but if it was that easy to find a player like that every team in the division would do it.
