Go for it Heckingbottom – Why Leeds must make a move for this lethal striker despite injury concerns
An earlier report from Daily Mail had claimed that Leeds United will revive their interest in Carpi striker Jerry Mbakogu this summer. The player was heavily linked to joining the Championship outfit in the January window but the move did not materialize.
However, at present, the player seems to have picked up a knock and he will be sidelined for the foreseeable future, as per a report from Tuttomercato Web. In such a situation, does it still make sense for Leeds to splurge and purchase him?
Mbakogu has plenty of pace and power but his goalscoring skills seem a tad bit questionable at this point. Throughout the season so far, he has managed to score merely 8 goals and that number will certainly not look appealing enough to Leeds fans.
But as far as talent and potential are concerned, Mbakogu does not lack any of it and in the long run, he could go on to become a valuable option for Paul Heckingbottom at Elland Road.
That said, his numbers are not all that bad when compared to on-loan striker Pierre-Michel Lasogga. The Hamburg striker has notched up 10 goals for Leeds this season and the fan base continues to be divided as to whether or not they should offer him a new contract.
Considering the severe shortage of power up front, it would make sense for them to sign him permanently but even then, a move for Mbakogu can prove to be advantageous for Leeds.
Furthermore, with adequate service from the likes of Samuel Saiz and Egzjan Alioski, both Lasogga and Mbakogu can conjure up some magic to fuel Leeds’ hopes of securing a much-elusive promotion next season.
Having these two strikers at hand will not only add depth to Heckingbottom’s options up front but it will also present him with an opportunity to make some tweaks in the formation and tactics.
For example, he could use them both up front – either together or use one of them as a secondary striker – and the combined forces of these two strikers can work wonders for the club.
Hence, even though Mbakogu seems to have received a setback in the form of a niggling injury, signing him can help Leeds in the long run and also help them make a strong title challenge next season. Thus, Mbakogu is a player the club must prioritize going into the summer window and it will be interesting to see if they succeed in acquiring his signature.