The Leeds United forward has been on fire this season under Garry Monk.
Since Garry Monk’s arrival at Elland Road, Leeds United have enjoyed a resurgence. Transforming from a team dabbling with relegation each season to a team at the forefront of this season’s promotion push, Garry Monk has done an incredible job so far at breathing new life into what looked like a dilapidated Leeds United squad.
One such player who epitomises the change Monk has brought to the side, is New Zealand international Chris Wood. The striker, who joined Leeds United in 2015 from Leicester City, has scored 21 goals in 32 games this season, and is staking a claim for the title of ‘Best Striker in the Championship.’
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Leeds United’s Chris Wood celebrates
Chris Wood’s style of play makes him incredibly valuable to Leeds. Similar in many ways to on-loan Fulham striker Chris Martin, Wood’s game revolves around hold-up play, winning physical battles with defenders and a top class aerial ability. Wood could perhaps be compared to the Championship version of Diego Costa, and could certainly make the step-up to the Premier League judging on his performances this season.
But will that be with Leeds United? With so many clubs in the Premier League now opting to play with a big centre forward like Wood, there are plenty of clubs who could well be keeping an eye on the Kiwi.
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Leeds United’s Chris Wood
One such club could be West Bromwich Albion. Wood, who was on West Brom’s books between 2008 and 2011, could offer competition for Baggies striker Solomon Rondon, and even replace him should the Venezuelan leave the Hawthorns in the summer. With both strikers offering a significant physical presence, as well as both being excellent in the air, Chris Wood could well now be the perfect fit for West Brom, six years after leaving the club for Leicester City.
West Brom manager Tony Pulis
Another team who could well be interested in a move for Chris Wood is Stoke City. Mark Hughes, like Tony Pulis, favours the loan striker role, and has currently turned back to Peter Crouch for goals, after loan-signing Wilfried Bony struggled with form. With Crouch having just turned 36 however, the former England international’s time leading the line in the Premier League may be limited, and the Potters may well be looking for a new striker come the summer.
Offering something different to new signing, Saido Berahino, Chris Wood would provide Stoke City with the physicality of Jonathan Walters along with the aerial ability of Peter Crouch. Often able to get the best out of his strikers, Mark Hughes might be the perfect man to take Wood’s career to the next level, should the striker move away from Elland Road this summer.
Stoke manager Mark Hughes
So what do you think Leeds United fans? Will you be able to keep hold of Chris Wood this summer? Or could the likes of West Bromwich Albion and Stoke City tempt the striker with a move away?
Leeds United’s Chris Wood scores
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