Leeds United boss claimed transfer talk was ridiculous while at Swansea, but would he feel differently now?
A year is a long time in football, as both Garry Monk and Jordan Rhodes can testify.
12 months ago Monk was fired by Swansea City, while Rhodes was pushing for a big move from Blackburn Rovers.
Rhodes switched to Middlesbrough, and won promotion, but has become a forgotten man and is available for transfer this January, The Sun report, while Monk was appointed at Leeds United and has helped the sleeping giants up to fifth place in the Championship table.
Yet had the two joined forces in January 2015, as had been suggested, their career paths could have panned out very differently.
Middlesbrough’s Jordan Rhodes in action with West Ham United’s Adrian
Then Swansea boss Monk was linked with a big money move for the striker, gave a very blunt response to a question about Rhodes.
Quoted by Wales Online, he said: “I’ve already said I don’t want another striker – and I don’t know where that (Rhodes) has come from, it’s ridiculous.
“He’s not been on our radar at all. We’ve never had talks with him and we won’t be having them.”
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
Monk did not feel Rhodes was right for Swansea, but his view could have changed now regarding his Leeds United side, who are pushing to win promotion.
Top scorer Chris Wood has suffered a hamstring injury, while stand in Marcus Antonsson also missed the win in midweek with a knock, meaning 17-year-old Mallik Wilks was named on the bench.
He has already admitted that Leeds need another forward, telling the Yorkshire Evening Post said: “Striker’s one area, definitely. I said that in the summer and it is one area we need to strengthen.”
Rhodes would be an ideal forward for Leeds, taking the pressure off Chris Wood, and removing any doubt over whether the club have strength in depth.
A loan deal may even be possible for the striker, and what seemed ‘ridiculous’ to Monk two years ago might just make perfect sense next month.
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