In a recent interview with BBC Radio Leeds (transcripted by MOT Leeds News), former Premier League forward Noel Whelan has urged Leeds United to land Celtic forward Odsonne Edouard. Whelan said,
“I do think we need another striker, no doubt about that. I have been thinking for over two seasons now.
“Edouard at Celtic. I have been a big fan of him for a long time. He is my choice. He has got the stature, he has got the work rate, he can take set pieces.”
Edouard’s Excellent Goal-Scoring Record In Scottish Football This Season
Edouard is having another impressive campaign at Celtic Park after putting in several productive displays as the focal point of the Scottish outfit’s attack. The French centre-forward has banged in 20 goals and earned five assists in 34 matches for the Glaswegian club this term across all competitions.
The 23-year-old has given a good account of himself in the attacking third as he is averaging 3.5 shots, 1.2 key passes and 1.6 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Scottish Premiership this season. He has even distributed possession relatively well in the opposition half, as evidenced by his pass success rate of 80.6% in league football (stats via whoscored).
Edouard still has a contract at Celtic until the summer of 2022, so the Scottish outfit will have no choice but to sell him on a cut-price fee at the end of this campaign or risk losing him as a free agent next year.
What Will The French Marksman Bring To Elland Road?
Edouard is a quick and agile striker who loves to make some intelligent runs behind the opposition backline. He excels at making powerful dribblers with the ball and can stretch the opponent’s defence with his late runs into the penalty box.
The 13-time France Under-21 international can use his strong 1.87m frame to outmuscle his marker and win some important headers in the air. He can also set up some decent chances for others around him and is usually clinical in front of goal when he is playing well on the field.
Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa can benefit from adding some healthy competition for Patrick Bamford, who is having an outstanding campaign in the Premier League so far. At 23, Edouard fits the bill perfectly as he is a young, quick, and prolific forward and has what it takes to increase competition for places within the Whites squad. Furthermore, he could even go on to form a dangerous attacking partnership with Bamford if Bielsa decides to go with two frontmen up top in the coming seasons.
