Derby County have managed to lure Jack Marriott to Pride Park, who was on Leeds United’s radar as well, signing him on a three-year deal. This might see the Whites land Matej Vydra in the coming days but has Marcelo Bielsa, their new manager, missed a trick by not going for the League One ace?
The Argentine mastermind’s first ever stint as a manager in England will not be easy. He will be responsible to take Leeds United back to the top flight and needs to be given enough time to make an impact on the squad and the first team. The gaffer is desperate to add to several areas of the squad and the striker’s position is one that has haunted him recently.
The manager has been targeting the likes of Abel Hernandez and Patrick Bamford recently, but two players who are extensively linked with Leeds United are Derby County star Matej Vydra and ex Peterborough striker Jack Marriott.
The Czech international Vydra played his fifth Championship season last time around. He was relatively unknown before the start of the previous campaign but the 26-year old came into his fore and smashed 22 goals in all competitions for the Rams, standing as one of the most consistent goalscorers in the competition.
He has 20 international appearances and 187 Championship appearances to his name and his experience will be a huge asset for the Whites. Frank Lampard’s side are in desperate need to sell, to raise some funds and improve on other areas of the squad. They have slapped a £11m price tag on Vydra and were in no hurry to let him leave, before finding a replacement.
However, Bielsa also had his eyes on Jack Marriott, who was the top goal scorer in the League One last season. The Beverley born striker joined Peterborough from Luton Town just last summer but has made an immediate impact on the league, registering 27 league goals.
From Leeds United’s perspective, Vydra is surely more established in the competition and can make an immediate impact on the first team next season. He is 26 and will hit his peak in the next few years and is well worth his price tag. He is expected to be the first choice for Bielsa, while Caleb Ekuban and Kemar Roofe, will act as backups.
Read More: Leeds United Eyeing Move For 24 Y/O Middlesbrough Striker: Perfect Fit For Bielsa’s Squad?
Marriott is undoubtedly talented but he will take time to adjust to the challenges of the Championship and could have easily struggled under Bielsa. At Derby, he is hardly under pressure to perform and could be a match winner but for Leeds, Vydra, a proven talent, is a far better option. So missing out on Marriott might not look like a glaring mistake on Bielsa’s part as long as they are able to land Vydra this summer.
