Written by Thomas B.
Luciano Becchio has fuelled uncertainty about his future by handing in a transfer request at Leeds United. An official statement confirmed the news that all Leeds fans dreaded.
Two rejected bids from unnamed foreign clubs seem to be the cause of Luciano’s transfer request. The club’s top goal scorer now leaves a gap up front that Leeds United boss Neil Warnock will have to fill within the next week.
With the January transfer window reaching its climax, the race is on to bolster a side that lack in quality and ambition. A whole list of strikers ‘could do a job’ for the team and here are five of the top strikers that are worthy of Becchio’s place in the team.
1. Ross McCormack – Ross is one of the most clinical strikers in the division and best of all he is currently a Leeds United player. Being utilised as a wide man when he’s had his limited chances, Ross’ 19 goals last season have been in vein under Neil Warnock.
The former Cardiff striker’s best position is as an out and out striker, but he needs the ball at his feet. His quick feet and his eye for goal make him the most sensible replacement for Luciano Becchio. Already at our disposal, the club does not need to spend big to find a striker that is capable and clinical.
Ross, this is your time to shine.
2. Charlie Austin – Probably the best striker outside of the Premier League. The former brick layer scores goals for fun at this level and his current club Burnley could struggle to hold on to him over the next week.
Questions will always remain about what state Leeds United as a business is in. With lack of transparency and a fan base tired of star players leaving, it may be inconceivable to many that Charlie Austin is a possible target.
Clinging on by one finger, the money from the sale of Becchio should be used by GFH, who no doubt want to impress the fans. Go out and get Austin and this club can begin to mend the broken trust at the club.
3. Jermaine Beckford – Currently on loan at Huddersfield Town, the former Leeds United fans favourite could be a reunion unlike most. Reunions are often overrated and downright deflating – but Jermaine still has unfinished business at Leeds United and given the recent news of Simon Grayson’s sacking from Huddersfield Town, the ex-Everton man could well be up for sale again.
It is most certainly another chance for GFH to stamp their authority on getting the club back to where it belongs.
4. Rickie Lambert – An ambitious signing to the say the least. Lambert has looked solid in the Premiership but it remains to be seen whether he features in the plans of new Saints boss Mauricio Pochettino. If not, even a loan deal should be considered for a striker who played a big part in Southampton’s back-to-back promotions.
The ex-Bristol Rovers star would fit in well with Warnock’s ‘direct’ approach and would show ambition for a club lacking in adventure.
5. Craig Mackail-Smith – The Brighton striker is of a similar mold to Luciano Becchio. Great at holding the ball up and bringing others into the game, Mackail-Smith is the type of player Warnock loves – although not the most gifted footballer. The Scottish international will run all day which would sit well with the fans at Elland Road.
Again, the stumbling block is the transfer fee. The club has suffered in recent years with not spending and the striker could well command a fee of around £2.5 million.
Reiterating the need of the new owners to prove their guile and ambition could well be shown in the purchase of the energetic Mackail-Smith.
Thomas Bradley is the founder of www.idradebeleeds.com
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Jim
Jan 28, 2013 at 9:36 am
Brilliant win yesterday, a true team performance, but i’m frustrated by Warnock’s sarcastic comments about the fans and Becchio. Glass half-empty? Easy enough for you to say Colin, we may have won six at home but the football’s been awful and we’re all out ££ out of pocket thanks to the ridiculous gate prices. (At least GFH are going some way to sorting that out for starters). As for Becchio, who can blame him? We have little chance of going up without player investment (which is not forthcoming) and he may as well capitalise on his value and try himself elsewhere. Let’s be thanking him for his service instead of giving him a hard time for looking after himself. MOT
Bluesman
Jan 28, 2013 at 11:23 am
Very good analysis, anyone of them would do as long as we don’t lose Ross, because he is irreplaceable!!
Shaun
Jan 28, 2013 at 1:16 pm
Somma is the best player to replace him. Him up top with McCormack is the way forward. Class, pace and top finishers
Johno
Jan 28, 2013 at 1:39 pm
McCormack is a quality player who I rate higher then becchio. Don’t get me wron I’m a fan of becchio but I think u get more all round with McCormack. Also hasn’t becford played for two clubs in the same league already this which stops him being available to us till the end of the season? I could be wrong not too sure bout that
Shazzan
Jan 28, 2013 at 3:38 pm
Well we already have Ross which is good. For me it would be between Austin and Smith. Lambert is that little bit older and Jermaine is a bit Tempermental. He soon throws his dummy out but I do not really doubt he would love to come back. Somma is someone I rate with a real eye for goal and I hope Gradel will be in for Saturdays game!
simon
Jan 28, 2013 at 10:24 pm
Even if becchio does go from leeds, warnock will not be given the money to spend, and u cannot get a decent stiker for less than £5mill, and there is no point on getting players on loan, as they are not comitted to the lufc cause. So the sooner warnock goes, we get in a decent manager as i think he has lost the respect of the players, you cannot go on tv and offer ya best players for sale like he and mick jones did, and not expect them to get the hump. And what player does want to come to leeds when everybody knows the warnock is gonna retire at the end of the season, so i so go, get in a new manager, give him some money to spend b4 the window closes, or do what we did last season, sack warnock when the window has closed like with grayson. Leeds at this moment in time is a laughing stock, we need a manager with leeds at heart, for example david o’leary, gus poyet, who both love leeds and leeds fans love them. And we need gfh capital to put there money where their mouths are and spend.
s
Jan 28, 2013 at 11:59 pm
grayson had the pick of paynter or austin when they were both at swindon . What a shame he picked Paynter .