Leeds United are once again in the mix to fight for the promotion spots, but they would hope that they don’t drop away from the race like last season. They have slipped down to third place after playing out yet another draw which takes their tally of drawn games to 5. In most of those drawn games, one could say that the Whites were the better side and with better finishing skills they could have come away with all the three points.
Injury to their star forward Kemar Roofe and marquee signing Patrick Bamford has derailed them somewhat. It’s clear that they need a forward to sustain their good start and if some reports are to be believed, then Bielsa has already informed the owner that he wants a striker in the winter transfer period. Therefore we compile a list of three forwards the club can go after in January.
Leonardo Ulloa
The former Leicester City striker is currently plying his trade for Mexican outfit Pachuca after he left the Foxes in the summer. His form has been terrific there as he has managed six goals in 10 appearances and the 32-year-old is just on a year-long contract with them. Therefore a move in January could be on the cards.
Ulloa can be the perfect target man in the box, a kind of striker the Whites currently lack as most of their present options are good runners on and off the ball. Someone like Ulloa would bring in a different dimension to the side and can act as a plan B for the gaffer. The forward even has a decent amount of experience of Championship football while playing for Brighton where he managed a respectable tally of 23 goals and eight assists from 54 appearances.
Mbaye Diagne
The Senegalese striker has continuously been linked with a move to Elland Road, and various reports have suggested that United scouts are keeping track on this Kasimpasa striker who has taken the Turkish league by storm. The 26-year-old forward joined the club in January, and since then, he has managed 20 goals in 25 appearances which has made his side emerge as surprise title contenders for this season.
Diagne is physically strong and can act as a target man in the box. However, don’t take him for a slouch on the field as he has decent pace and can finish with aplomb in and around the penalty box. Given that the Whites have continually tracked him, Diagne could very much be the striker United goes after.
Nick Powell
The Wigan Athletic man is not an out and out forward but he has a decent record when he leads the line. His versatility to play in the no. 10 and forward role would definitely come in handy for Bielsa. The former Manchester United man was even linked with a move to the West Yorkshire club in the summer, and we believe he can bring that cutting edge in the attacking positions if Bielsa decides to sign him.
