Leeds United signed Pierre-Michel Lasogga on loan whilst Middlesbrough splashed out on Britt Assombalonga.
Pierre-Michel Lasogga of Leeds celebrates
In the summer Leeds United needed to bring in a new goalscorer after the departure of Chris Wood to Burnley. One name that was instantly mentioned by fans as a potential target was Britt Assombalonga. A natural goalscorer at this level with Nottingham Forest fans at Leeds were hoping to see him at Elland Road.
In the end he moved to Middlesbrough, with recently departed Leeds manager Garry Monk taking him to Riverside. Leeds fans felt perhaps if Monk had remained at Leeds, the DR Congo striker could have joined him.
Leeds eventually made a move for Pierre-Michel Lasogga, arriving on loan from Hamburg.
But who got the better deal?
At the moment, it is hard to look past Lasogga as the better signing of the two.
Britt Assombalonga of Middlesbrough
Assombalonga has managed 12 goals this season, Lasogga just 10. The German has however played less football than the Boro man.
Assombalonga cost a fee reported by the Guardian to be in the region of £14 million. Lasogga is costing much less on a loan deal for the season from Hamburg.
Then there is the quality of opponents scored against. The Boro striker has been criticised for being a flat-track bully this season. His goals have come against bottom half clubs Burton Albion, Bolton Wanderers, QPR, Barnsley, Reading, Hull and Birmingham . The only team in the top half he has scored against are in fact Leeds.
Lasogga on the other hand has found the net against promotion chasing Sheffield United, Bristol City and Derby County – the latter pair home and away – as well as top-half regulars Millwall and Ipswich Town. His two goals on debut v Burton Albion the only time a real bottom end side have been his fodder.
The fact is, for a fraction of the price, Leeds have got a striker who can easily claim to be Assombalonga’s equal this season.
When Boro and Leeds face off on Friday, weather permitting, it will be interesting to see who comes out on top.
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