Football leagues across Europe might have stopped for now, but the decision-makers at the club will have more time to think and plan for the upcoming transfer window. Leeds United are in the driver’s seat to achieve promotion to the Premier League. However, we saw them blow a healthy lead last season, so nothing is guaranteed in football.
Nevertheless, former Leeds United striker Noel Whelan has already advised the Whites to sign as many as three strikers if they get promoted to the Premier League. However, Whelan doesn’t want to see Jean-Kevin Augustin’s signing to be made permanent.
Whelan talks about the striker situation at Elland Road
Speaking to Football Insider, Whelan said, “I think it would be a big risk signing Augustin He is not going to do it next year in the Premier League, that would be too much for him. One game in eight months he has played. Patrick has done well this season, and you can’t fault his work rate. But he is not going to be more prolific in the Premier League.”
“We need more strikers, probably three in addition to Patrick. He is a good option, but I don’t see him as the main striker next season if we go up.”
Is Whelan too harsh on Augustin?
There was a good amount of optimism when Augustin was announced as he had played top-flight football and European competitions before. However, it became apparent why Augustin was made available on loan in January as he was barely match fit to play. The striker then also went down with a hamstring injury after failing to impress in some cameos.
However, every player needs some time to settle in and the fact that he did not get much game time before joining at Elland Road didn’t go in his favour. Moreover, Bielsa is a kind of manager who would only give chances when he believes that the player is in the right physical condition.
The ongoing break, though, could be a blessing in disguise for Augustin. If he manages to impress in training and the rest of the games under Bielsa, then the Whites should consider getting him. Writing him off entirely at the moment is slightly harsh from Whelan. Phil Hay revealed that the Whites could sign the striker for £17m. That is a significant amount of transfer fee for a club like Leeds United and Augustin will need to show some positive signs before the Whites could dare trigger it.
As for Whelan’s claim of United needing three more strikers for the Premier League, it cannot be denied that Bamford cannot be relied upon in the English top flight. Hence, the Whites would need to bring in new options. But knowing Bielsa, he wouldn’t certainly want to have four strikers in the roster when he prefers to play with just one upfront. Maybe we might see two new strikers coming in if the Yorkshire outfit makes it to the Premier League.
