The forward’s Leeds contract expires at the end of the season, and a previous report had suggested that a new deal was unlikely.
A report in the Yorkshire Evening Post back in October suggested that Souleymane Doukara was likely to be on his way out of Elland Road this coming summer when his Leeds United contract expires. But based on his current form, it is becoming impossible to argue that he does not deserve a new deal.
When that report was published, Doukara had made three appearances for the Whites during the current season, and had failed to make a significant impact in any of the games.
Since then however, he has benefited from some of the injuries that have befallen some of his teammates and proved exactly why Garry Monk should definitely consider handing him a fresh contract.
Souleymane Doukara of Leeds United (C) in action with Ashley Westwood (L) and Albert Adomah of Aston Villa
In previous seasons, Doukara only showed brief glimpses of his quality. His performance away at Wolves last season best highlighted how much of an influence he can have on a fixture, but the number of times he really changed games could have perhaps been counted on one hand.
However, this term has been a different story.
Against Norwich in the EFL Cup, he set up Leeds’ first goal by knocking down a cross into the path of Marcus Antonsson. And he followed that up by inspiring the Peacocks’ win over Burton Albion.
Leeds United’s Souleymane Doukara scores the second goal against Rotherham
Doukara was introduced when the game was still goalless with just 17 minutes to go. But it was his run that led to the opening goal as he showed a tremendous amount of composure to try and cut back rather than snatch at the chance, and ended up drawing the challenge that allowed Chris Wood to break the deadlock from the spot.
And it was Doukara who sealed the win when his perseverance saw him bundle the ball home after beginning his run from well inside his own half.
His second goal of the campaign came in the win over Rotherham last month as he bagged what proved to be the winner in a nervy contest.
Leeds United manager Garry Monk
And, of course, it was his sensational cross that led to Kemar Roofe’s opener in the important win over Aston Villa at the weekend.
While he has been making a contribution going forward, it must not be forgotten that Doukara – when deployed out on the wing – also does an excellent job of providing the defence with additional support.
The Yorkshire Evening Post suggested last month that Leeds’ main target for the January transfer window may well be a new striker as they look to keep themselves in the play-off hunt.
But if Doukara can maintain his current form, then Monk may want to think twice about going after another forward and about the idea of letting the 25-year-old’s contract expire at the end of the season.
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