Leeds United, once an esteemed English force, lost their essence in last decade and administrative mismanagement transformed the Whites into a mere mid-table Championship outfit. They witnessed a surprise uprise under Garry Monk a couple of seasons back, but his decision to step down last year brought Leeds back to square one. Neither Thomas Christiansen nor Paul Heckingbottom succeeded in keeping up the good work at Elland Road and the failed attempt of replacing hitman Chris Wood with Pierre-Michel Lasogga and Caleb Ekuban led them to yet another mid-table finish.
But the supporters, meanwhile, are sensing a resurgence following the appointment of iconic Marcelo Bielsa as the new Leeds boss. His reputation, experience, tactical masterclass and success of the highest order uplifted the spirit in West Yorkshire after years of anguish. Wood’s departure for Burnley has left a massive void high up the pitch and Bielsa, the former Argentina and Chile chief, is weighing up options for a proven and prolific presence in front of goal.
The Whites are reportedly after Uruguayan international Abel Hernandez who is available for free upon expiration of his contract at Hull City and his scoring run in the second tier made him a prime transfer target of many fellow Championship counterparts. Although Hernandez missed out the majority of the previous term through injury, the 27-year-old centre-forward maintained his composure and notched 8 times in 10 league outings in a troublesome season.
Matej Vydra, on the other hand, failed to make his mark in Premier League football but came back stronger this term in the second tier after an underwhelming 2016-17 campaign for Derby County. The Rams earned a playoff place finish banking on his 21 league goals as the 26-year-old Czech international redefined his glorious form of Watford days in Championship circuit.
But the player is rumored to be moving out this summer and Derby, under Frank Lampard, have already identified Bristol City sensation Bobby Reid as his potential successor. Vydra, who still have a couple of years left in his current deal at Pride Park, won’t come cheap and is valued around £11m – more than half of Leeds’ reported £20m transfer warchest in order to reconstruct the depleted squad.
Both Vydra and Hernandez are known for their goal-poaching instinct and will start hitting the ground if chances are created inside the box. If Hernandez’s injury woes are worrying signs, the asking fee of Vydra will hinder them from adding quality in other slots that are equally crucial to script a fightback.
Vydra, however, can be utilized down the left flank and also in a ‘number 10’ role, yet it will be wiser to invest on a playmaker who will offer versatility and wrap up Hernandez as well on a Bosman transfer to find a solution to their striker conundrum.
