Why Leeds United Should Sign Martyn Waghorn
In an otherwise encouragingly young and improving squad, Leeds United seem to be missing somewhat of the yin-yang and may look to add some significant experience to their ranks this summer. Leeds should bring in a few players with a crack of Championship history.
Those players stepping down from the Premier League may well be on a downward spiral, while those heading up the ranks could stall in their improvement at any stage and may prove to be inconsistent. Teams going up from the Championship in recent times have always had a core of players whose true level is the upper echelons of that particular league and in Martyn Waghorn, Leeds would have theirs.
The former Sunderland and Leicester winger/striker played a grand total of 171 times in this division between 2008 and 2015, scoring 33 times and providing many other goals. His time in Scotland seems to be coming to an end as Pedro Caixinha looks to rebuild the Rangers squad this summer.
Waghorn is comfortable on the right of a front three, cutting in from that side onto his favoured left foot. He used that to good effect in the Scottish Championship in the 2015/16 season, scoring a career-high 20 goals. He would provide competition on that side for Kemar Roofe and this is where Leeds would benefit.
After a great period saw them reach 3rd place and look assured of a play-off spot, Leeds’ season fell off a cliff and a 7th placed finish at the end of the season meant no chance of promotion. One of the problems was a lack of variation, with opposition teams finding it easy to shut them down. Roofe is faster than Waghorn, is right-footed and as such likes to take his man on. Waghorn would do the opposite and hence would keep the opposition guessing – something Leeds are badly in need of.
With a new owner at the helm and the promise of a big transfer budget, signing Waghorn will not make too big a dent in Leeds’ funds and so it’s almost a free hit for them. Waghorn would bring the X-factor to Leeds given his experience alone, and behind the scenes, that is seen as vital to the cause.
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