Why Matej Vydra would be a fantastic signing for Leeds United

Back in November 2019, the Sun (h/t The Daily Star) had claimed that Leeds United were planning a January swoop for Burnley forward Matej Vydra.

Matej Vydra, 27, joined Burnley from Derby County in the summer of 2018 but endured a disappointing debut season at Turf Moor, managing just 13 Premier League appearances. The Czech Republic forward is yet to start a league game for the Clarets this campaign, making just five substitute appearances.

With Vydra struggling for regular opportunities under Sean Dyche at Burnley, Leeds must take the opportunity of the situation and make a move for him this month.

The Whites are currently at the top of the Championship table and will fancy their chances of making a long-awaited return to the top-flight this term.

But Marcelo Bielsa’s plans this month have been hit with double transfer blows, with Jack Clarke and Eddie Nketiah both being recalled early from their loan spells at Elland Road after a lack of opportunities.

Nketiah’s departure, in particular, has left Leeds short on numbers up front, with Patrick Bamford the only recognised centre-forward available. For a club challenging for automatic promotion, it’s very risky to bank on a single striker for a regular supply of goals.

Bamford, who has been Bielsa’s first-choice striker this season, needs cover as well as competition. To put things into perspective, Bielsa should replace Nketiah and signing Matej Vydra would be the right move.

Vydra might have struggled in the top-flight with Burnley but there are few better than him at Championship level. He netted 36 goals in two seasons at Watford and won the league’s Golden Boot in 2018 with Derby County, hitting 21 goals. A proven Championship goalscorer like him certainly fits the bill at Elland Road.

Looking at things from the player’s perspective, Vydra can receive better chances of first-team action at Elland Road than at Burnley. He isn’t getting enough game time with the Clarets at the moment and the forward is more than good enough for the Leeds squad.

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Should the Czech Republic international arrive this month, he may have a good chance to impress Bielsa and in turn have a better chance of making an impact on the Whites first-team. No doubt, the former Derby man could make a world of difference to Bielsa’s surge for promotion.

Verdict

Leeds are currently in the driving seat for automatic promotion and have a nine-point lead on third place. A forward of Vydra’s ability and experience would no doubt improve the Whites’ chances of maintaining that position.