Despite flying high in the initial days, the fear of falling apart is looming large once again upon Marcelo Bielsa’s men. Leeds United are undergoing a disastrous spell having registered only one win in their past seven Championship fixtures and the search is still on for a new centre-forward following Eddie Nketiah’s return to the Emirates midway through his loan stint at the Elland Road.
While the Whites have been linked to an array of names over the past few weeks, Middlesbrough’s ongoing financial crisis has handed Leeds a boost in renewing interest in Britt Assombalonga whom Boro might offload by the end of this month to reduce their wage bill, according to Sunday People (via the Daily Star).
Why Leeds Must Step Up The Chase
Although Patrick Bamford is in fine form with 10 league goals already, his wastefulness at times cost the Whites severely on several occasions. The gaffer needs someone to challenge and cover the Englishman high up the pitch, and the experience of the Congolese in the Championship circuit should come handy in meeting their season objectives.
An injury to Bamford would see Bielsa deploy Tyler Roberts in a makeshift ‘number 9’ role. Roberts, however, has had fitness woes all season and the veteran Argentine must not risk this at any cost, particularly after the catastrophe witnessed towards the closure of the previous term. There’s not much time left in the window before it is slammed shut and the club must opt for a move for the Boro man for the remainder of the term to inject more firepower upfront.
What He Would Bring In At Leeds United
Assombalonga has netted 37 goals in 111 appearances for Middlesbrough and is hailed for his conventional approach in creating and converting chances in the attacking third. The Whites have identified him as a potential Nketiah replacement but must step up the chase amid Bristol City’s interest.
The attacker is capable of featuring across the frontline – an attribute that might have drawn the attention of the Elland Road chief. The 27-year-old has been a familiar face in the second tier of English football and would certainly uplift Leeds United’s promotion hopes after years of anguish, pain and disappointment.
His pace, power and holding traits must be explored properly to get the best of him, and a deal seems quite realistic now considering the current crisis at Riverside.
