If it feels like there’s an obvious answer to a question, well then there probably is one. Maxwel Cornet or Ismaila Sarr? Who would you choose, Leeds United supporters.
A winger who scored nine goals in just 21 starts for a club who ended the 2021/22 season in the Premier League’s relegation zone? Or one who, let’s be honest, hasn’t performed with any consistency for well over two years now?
There’s only so long Ismaila Sarr can keep dining out on that pre-pandemic performance against Liverpool back in February 2020.
According to FootMercato, Leeds have placed Watford’s £30 million-rated record signing on their late-summer hitlist as Victor Orta looks to beef up Jesse Marsch’s carpaccio frontline, while bringing in a Raphinha replacement.
According to 90Min, Burnley’s Cornet is another option. A cheaper, far more convincing one at that. It is no secret that Cornet has a £17 million release clause in his contract – making him almost 40 per cent cheaper than Ismaila Sarr.
Ismaila Sarr or Maxwel Cornet for Leeds United?
If anything, Sarr’s most recent performance against Leeds United was a snapshot of his season as a whole. A performance the Hertfordshire Mercury rather graciously awarded a 3/10 in their post-match ratings.
It was he who sliced a glorious chance high and wide with the score 1-0 in the visitors favour at Vicarage Road in April. Rodrigo Moreno then went up the other end and doubled Watford’s deficit.
Form, as they say, is merely temporary. But Sarr’s uninspiring displays have gone on for too long now to suggest that this is a mere blip. The one-time Liverpool target didn’t exactly set the Championship alight either, even as Watford bounced back at the first time of asking in 2020/21.
There certainly aren’t similar concerns about the consistency of Cornet’s form. Or, for that matter, the permanency of his class.
“He has been terrific,” Ivory Coast legend and Leicester City coach Kolo Toure told Sky Sports of a man who could have put on his very own Goal of the Season competition come May. “Unbelievable.
“Technically, he is a very good player. Seeing him go to Burnley was a big surprise for me. He has done unbelievable there because he shows some great, great quality and scores goals.”
One of Sarr and Cornet proved beyond all reasonable doubt last season that they belong among the elite last season. And few would argue it’s the former.
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