In a way, Leeds United’s 2017/18 Sky Bet Championship campaign failure can be reduced to one simple factor – not replacing Chris Wood’s 27 league goals.
It really is that starkly simple, the sale of Chris Wood hit the Whites hard. Yes Kemar Roofe top-scored with 11 for the season and loanee Pierre-Michel Lasogga weighed in with 10. the problem was though, it wasn’t enough. The 21 goals from the duo weren’t enough to cover Wood’s 27 goals and they were clustered rather than spread across the season.
That has to change, it simply has to. If it doesn’t, we Leeds United fans can settle themselves down for yet another disappointing season. There have been social media rumblings that the Whites might be in for Peterborough’s Jack Marriott, something made more viable with today’s news of a minority investment into the club by the San Francisco 49ers.
Put a Elastoplast away – big fix needed
One big fix for this would be a successful completion of a deal to bring in talented Uruguayan striker Abel Hernandez who is seeing out the last month of his Hull City. He’s already been mentioned as the Whites’ number 1 target of the summer, the one that they want to bring in.
He’s a prolific striker at Championship level, featuring in 49 games for the Tigers in the Championship and scoring 28 goals as well as providing four assists. In an injury-hit 2017/18 campaign, where he missed six months with an Achilles injury, Hernandez still managed to score eight times in 10 games.
Whilst there is still some hammering out of particulars, especially with regard to the Uruguayan’s £40,000-per-week wage, many think that Leeds are still in with a good chance of landing the marquee signing.
Chance or not a chance on Hernandez capture
Bet Victor certainly do. According to their online site, Leeds United are odds-on favourites at 2/5 to land the proven Championship striker with Premier League capabilities. Those extremely short odds have come about with the Whites coming in from further out.
Whilst Bet Victor have the 29-cap international at odds of 2/5, journalist Phil Hay has added a few snippets of replies on Twitter that update the current hunt for Hernandez.
On replying to news regarding any updates:
ball’s in his court really. Leeds have made their proposals to him. His decision now whether he wants to come. There are other options but he’s first choice.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) May 24, 2018
On whether he’s looking at Leeds United or elsewhere:
he is interested in coming otherwise talks wouldn’t have got to this stage but I can’t vouch for what other clubs like Villa might be willing to offer.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) May 24, 2018
Phil Hay also updates fans on interest from abroad:
some in China too but don’t think he’s keen. And obviously a bit of talk about Turkey.
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) May 24, 2018
On whether Hernandez is still up for joining the Whites:
pretty much. He knows what Leeds can offer. What I’m trying to say is that they’ve been speaking for weeks. They wouldn’t be bothering if he wasn’t interested (but disclaimer – that doesn’t mean he’ll sign).
— Phil Hay (@PhilHayYEP) May 24, 2018
What United fans will be hoping for is that the club, helped by the new investment from the San Francisco 49ers, will get this deal over the line. Signing someone with the Championship experience and Premier League potential that Abel Hernandez possesses could very well be that replacement for Chris Wood that Leeds United fans have been craving.
