The Transfer Rumour Mill™ is gearing up to be in full swing and names of players are tumbling out of one chamber as corresponding clubs fall from another. That is unless the Carabao Cup people are doing it and Charlton will end up signing the same player twice.
The latest, though by no means the last, rumour to tumble out concerning Leeds United is that regarding archetypal journeyman Matt Derbyshire. The Mail Online’s Joe Bernstein says in his article that the Whites are lining up an approach for the 31-year-old former England Under-21 frontman.
Bernstein says that Leeds “may rival” Greek giants Panathanaikos for his signing, battling the Greek side for his undoubted knack of being able to find the back of the net. He says that new Leeds head coach/manager Thomas Christiansen “was interested in taking the 31-year-old Omonia Nicosia striker to his previous club Apoel,” before explaining that rivalry between the two Cypriot sides was what kow-towed that deal.
He shoots, he scores – ALL Matt Derbyshire’s goals for Omonio Nikosia 2016/17
Five things Matt Derbyshire for Leeds United fans to know
1. He is much travelled: Since starting out at Great Harwood Town, Derbyshire has turned out for ten clubs – making his initial breakthrough with Blackburn Rovers and last featuring for Cypriot side Omonio Nikosia where he completed this season after a free transfer move from Rotherham United.
2. He knows where the net is: In his 363 career games, Matt Derbyshire has found the net on 110 occasions. His 110 goals have come at the rate of a goal per 186 minutes. Extrapolated to its fullest, that goal scoring rate is the equivalent of a 22-goal striker over a full Sky Bet Championship season.
3. He scored regularly at Under-21 level: Matt Derbyshire made 14 England Under-21 appearances, beginning with his goal-scoring début against Italy in a 3-3 draw on 24 March 2007 and ending with a 60 minute appearance in a 2-0 loss to France on 31 September 2009. He also scored international goals against the Netherlands in a penalty shootout, a controversial goal against Serbia when not kicking the ball out for an injured defender. He scored one against Montenegro in a 1-0 Under-21 qualifying win in 2007 and two against Norway in a 5-0 victory – Derbyshire playing just the second half.
4. Only as good as your last season: If that is the case then Matt Derbyshire has 26 reasons to be good. Playing in the Cypriot top-tier for Omonio Nikosia, Derbyshire scored 26 goals across all competions – 24 of these being either in the league or the Championship Round play-offs. His league goals came at the somewhat ridiculous rate of a goal per 103 minutes. To put that into perspective, that is like having a 40-goal Championship scorer on your hands.
5. Experience of the English leagues: Matt Derbyshire has that in spades. He has played 136 Championship games, scoring 24 goals and providing eight assists as well as 76 Premier League games earlier in his career that brought 10 goals and four assists. he also has a total of 34 games further down the league ladder that have returned a total of 14 goals and three assists.
Leeds United fan reactions to news of Derbyshire link
Derbyshire 😂😂😂
— Josh Westerman (@Joshwestylufc) June 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/Manners93/status/876380157745000448
Actually think Antonsson better than Derbyshire. Deserves a better chance.
— Love Affair Since 1992 (@Buybeckford) June 18, 2017
Matt Derbyshire. For feck sake.
— BC (@BC_LUFC) June 18, 2017
We defo need better than Derbyshire if we are to push on to the next level.
— Liam Griffin (@liamgriffin36) June 18, 2017
Matt Derbyshire? I hope this is press making connections based on him playing in Cyprus #lufc
— Mr. Shields (@MrShieldsPE) June 18, 2017
https://twitter.com/LisaJamie2602/status/876351738944651265
It is safe to say that the general consensus amongst Leeds United fans is that Matt shouldn’t get closer to Leeds and should stay in Derbyshire – leaving West Yorkshire well alone.
