Leeds United will be heading into the new Championship season full of optimism and belief that they can earn promotion to the Premier League.
Leeds United could be adding a striker to their ranks this summer as Marcelo Bielsa aims for yet another promotion push following the disappointment of last season.
The Sun on Sunday (print edition, page 60, June 23, 2019, have claimed that Leeds will join fellow Yorkshire side Sheffield Wednesday in the race for West Ham’s Jordan Hugill if they lose one of their front men this summer.
Kemar Roofe and Patrick Bamford deployed the forward role for the Whites last term, but despite their presence in the team, Bielsa’s side lacked a cutting edge in front of goal.
Albeit he is a different style of player, Roofe would still be a better option up front than Hugill. However, the West Ham man would be a better option than Bamford.
Last season, especially towards the back end of the league campaign, Bamford was heavily criticised for his antics and performances on the pitch.
Whilst the former Chelsea youth product can still produce the goods in the Championship, he doesn’t have that oomph or devastating effect to his game that Leeds need.
Hugill isn’t going to score the abundance of goals needed for a promotion-chasing team, but he can get the best out of those around him and still produce the goods when he’s not putting the ball into the back of the net – something Bamford lacks.
Therefore, the former Preston man, who joined West Ham for £10 million in 2018 [BBC Sport], would be a better and a more devastating option than Bamford for Bielsa next season.
Bamford seemingly has a soft touch to his game, which doesn’t suit Bielsa’s very energetic and high-pressing style of play. The same cannot be said for Hugill.
He would be more of an all-round threat for Leeds, both from the starting XI and the bench than Elland Road’s current first-team man, Bamford. Therefore, rather than just making Hugill a potential replacement, Leeds should try and push through a deal for the target-man.
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