Leeds United desperately need to take the pressure off Chris Wood.
Leeds United’s Chris Wood celebrates
If Leeds United hope to get a fully fit and firing Chris Wood for the start of the Championship season, they may be disappointed.
Last season’s Championship top scorer is preparing for FIFA’s least celebrated international tournament, the Confederations Cup.
Wood’s New Zealand qualified after a penalty shootout win over Papua New Guinea last year in the OFC Nations Cup Final.
It is New Zealand’s first time at the tournament since 2009, and Wood will see his already long season extended.
New Zealand’s Chris Wood shoots
After playing 44 out of 46 league games for Leeds last season, starting 41, plus playing a further four cup games, Wood is in need of a break.
If he does not feel it now, he is likely to next season.
Unfortunately he doesn’t appear to be getting one, with New Zealand’s Confederations Cup campaign kicking off on June 17 against Russia.
The top two qualify from their group, with Mexico and Portugal completing the quartet.
There is a strong likelihood New Zealand will face early elimination, but with the last group game on June 24, there will be just a week before Wood’s Leeds United return for pre-season.
Leeds United’s Chris Wood celebrates
He will not be required to join up straight away, but this increases the pressure on Leeds to make signing another striker a priority in the upcoming transfer window.
Marcus Antonsson is yet to convince, and ultimately despite Wood’s goals, Leeds were short when it came to clinching a play-off spot last season.
Appointing a new head coach is understandably the most urgent matter for club owner Andrea Radrizzani to address.
Once this is resolved, finding a new striker to support and take the pressure off Chris Wood must become a serious priority.
The Confederations Cup means Leeds simply cannot be overly reliant on the striker next season, as if that were not evident already.
Leeds’ Chris Wood scores
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