As the Terriers overcame a resilient Sheffield Wednesday side in the midweek to secure a final playoff space against Reading FC at the end of the month, speculations of many loan moves become permanent have started doing the round.
Huddersfield Town have five loanees in their squad at present, and a promotion to the top-flight English football could make most of those permanent. The latest name, who is reportedly at the top of Town manager, David Wagner’s list, is Isaiah Brown. The young striker has shown his brilliance occasionally and the team wants to retain his vibrancy next season too, should they qualify for the Premier League.
The Terriers haven’t quite had the killer approach this season, winning most matches with small margins. The goal tallies of both the centre-forwards indicate exactly that. While Elias Kachunga has managed just 12 goals in all season, Nahki Wells has scored 10 times. Huddersfield have managed to score 56 goals this season, which is lesser among all the top 10 sides in the Championship table.
And surviving in the Premier League with such a blunt attacking force isn’t very easy, as was evident from Middlesbrough’s immediate relegation this season. Brown’s signature becomes all the more essential for that. However, the Chelsea Under- 23 striker will definitely not be willing to stay with the side if they fail to win against Reading.
As per reports, Chelsea have labelled the striker at £3 million, a sum Huddersfield can afford and it will possibly boil down to the player’s decision at last. Brown has two years left on his contract at Chelsea and the decision to leave the league champions won’t be easy. He has scored seven goals and five assists in 35 league outings this season so, far.
A number 10 by nature, the 20-year-old can play easily on both the flanks and has a sharp nose for goals. He is definitely not the tallest forwards in 182cm, but his pace on the ball and intelligent movements make him an interesting asset to have on one’s side.
A West Bromwich Albion academy product, Brown moved to Chelsea’s Under-18 in 2013 and quickly made his way up the ranks. He was sent to a short loan stint with Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem and Rotherham United in the process before Huddersfield took him this winter. He has made an instant impression in the Championship.
Interestingly, with Diego Costa’s future up in the air, Chelsea are looking at options in that role. Of course, big names would arrive if Costa leaves but it also leaves a small window for Conte to scan through the Under-23s; a chance Brown might gamble on.
