Many expected Max Watters to have a big impact on Crawley Town’s FA Cup clash with Leeds United, but he ended up only being a substitute.
The striker has been injured recently, and John Yems decided to keep him as a substitute before introducing him on 72 minutes as he saw out Crawley’s stunning 3-0 win.
Watters caused problems when he was introduced, providing physicality at the top end of the pitch whilst almost capitalising on some slack Leeds defending.
A host of clubs will have been checking on Watters, given that Premier League sides Brighton and West Brom are keen on signing him according to the Daily Mail.
Swansea City have already had a £500,000 bid rejected for Watters, whilst Watford are also keen after seeing him score 16 goals in 18 games this season.
The 21-year-old certainly impressed Martin Keown during BBC Sport’s coverage of the game, as he felt that the striker’s hold-up ability and link-up play is exactly what Leeds are missing.
“The way he took that – that’s what Leeds need at their end,” said Keown as Watters held off the Leeds defence to take in a long ball and give Crawley a platform to build.
So, could Leeds look at Watters? Marcelo Bielsa has often got the best out of target man, with Fernando Llorente and Andre-Pierre Gignac thriving under him in the past.
Watters doesn’t quite have their size, but he’s athletic and physical, whilst having the potential to become a star at a higher level.
Leeds have shown a willingness to add young talent such as Joe Gelhardt, Sam Greenwood and Crysencio Summverille, and if they want to land another talented young attacker for the future, Watters could be worth tracking having shown his potential on Sunday.
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