Frustrating would be an understatement if one would have to describe Leeds United’s fans and team management’s current mood. The Whites still rule the roost on top of the table on goal difference, but they could have been over the hills and far beyond after the first eight games as they should have won all their matches based on their performance.
However, their poor finishing and lack of final product continue to cost them. The fact that it has happened regularly suggests that it is not a matter of just being plain unlucky, but the Whites do have a severe problem of converting chance into goals.
Marcus Maddison: A player to consider for January
One player they could turn to solve some of their goal-scoring woes is Peterborough United’s playmaker Marcus Maddison. The Whites have been linked with the Posh ace in the past, and given his performances in the last few seasons, he could really make an impact and solve some of United’s woes in the final third.
It is believed that Maddison has his release clause set at £2.5m and the 25-year-old is currently in the final year of his contract. A move to Leeds United in January could certainly attract him, and the Whites can take a chance on the English playmaker.
Moving up from League One to the Championship would indeed be a step up but Maddison’s performance in League One in the past few seasons has been simply outstanding.
The attacking player contributed with ten goals and 23 assists in all competitions last season. The season before that he managed another 23 assists to go with his 12 goals. In the ongoing season, he has started brilliantly as he has five goals and six assists to his name in eight appearances.
The Whites lost the services of Samuel Saiz last season but they never really signed a replacement for him. Adam Forshaw and Jamie Shackleton have partnered Mateusz Klich in midfield since then. Both of them have done reasonably well, but in terms of attacking contributions, they are yet to make a significant impact. Forshaw has done well with his intensity, but the club should be on the lookout for a goal-scoring midfielder.
Why is Maddison worth going after?
Even though Maddison’s signing will involve a bit of risk as he will be coming from a lower division, we think that he is worth taking a punt on. He is versatile enough to play on the right flank when required. Maddison also provides a decent work rate, and most importantly, he comes up with attacking returns consistently, which the Whites need at this point.
