With a neat 1-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday last weekend, Leeds United have further boosted their chances of a side hopeful for a promotion to the Premier League. The Peacocks are in the scheme of things for bagging a playoff spot, which is simply an outstanding outcome for a side which loitered aimlessly in the Championship last season. Garry Monk has been shrewd with his tactics as well as on striking the right deals to embark upon a galvanising journey at the Elland Road.
Amidst the rapid rise of the stature of the side this season under the tutelage of the former Swansea City manager, Chris Wood has been leading the line with a magnificent goal-scoring prowess, bagging 20 goals in 32 appearances this term apart from registering an assist as well. Owing to the blistering form of the New Zealand international, other attackers have found opportunities pretty hard to come by in Monk’s tactical setup of 4-2-3-1 which allows one hitman up front, as a result of Marcus Antonsson has been overlooked under the 37-year-old manager.
Antonsson was one of the high-profile signings for the Whites in the summer of 2016 but has failed to register a thumping mark at Leeds United. In 16 appearances that he has been handed this season, the Swede has scored just one goal, has no assists to his name and has created merely 4 chances and no wonder he hasn’t been favoured at the expense of Wood. Moreover, he is third in the pecking order for the selection of a striker because of Souleymane Doukara, who has been the preferred deputy to their in-form goal scorer this season. In a scenario like this, what is exactly anticipated in future for Antonsson under Monk’s regime?
It has been reported in the past that Leeds United are paying a close attention to West Ham United’s young gun Ashley Fletcher and are willing to rope him to the Elland Road in the summer, which implies that the 25-year-old’ remaining probabilities to start the proceedings would be dealing with another blow.
With Wood in the form of his life and Doukara filling in his shoes during his absence, it is harsh to see Antonsson wasting his peak time on the bench. He is a quality striker whose transfer to Leeds United from Kalmar FF hasn’t chalked in the way he would have wanted, and thus, it would make sense if he opts for an outlet in the summer transfer window.
Statistics Credits: Squawka.
