Don Goodman gushes over ‘striker’s dream’ Ryan Giles amid Leeds United and Hull City transfer battle
We’re delighted to welcome EFL expert and former striker Don Goodman as our exclusive columnist. Each week he’ll be giving his views on the biggest talking points at Elland Road.
Don Goodman says Leeds United would be landing “a striker’s dream” if they can see off competition from Hull City for full-back Ryan Giles.
The Luton Town defender has been linked with a switch to both Championship clubs this month after struggling for playing time in the Premier League.
Giles has ample experience in the second tier, having enjoyed spells on loan with Coventry City, Rotherham United, Cardiff City, Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough.
talkSPORT reporter Alex Crook posted on his personal Twitter page on Tuesday (23 January) that Hull appear to have won the race for the 24-year-old.
However, a move has yet to be confirmed by the Tigers and Leeds may therefore retain an interest in a player who assisted 11 goals in the division for Middlesbrough last season.
And Goodman believes Giles would make a big difference at Elland Road should he be brought in from Luton before the January transfer window closes.
Speaking to MOT Leeds News, Goodman said: “You look at the impact modern-day full-backs have on games now in an attacking sense, Liverpool being the gold standard through Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson.
“You’re talking 20-odd assists a season, which is crazy and not possible for mere mortals in the Championship.
“But look at someone like Leif Davis at Ipswich Town, who ironically was previously on Leeds United’s books, and he’s in double figures for assists.
“Ryan Giles, when playing in the Championship for the likes of Middlesbrough and Coventry City, he’s always been at the top of the assists charts.
“He has a wicked left-footed delivery and just feeds the ball in – he’s a striker’s dream.
“If Leeds can get hold of him, that’d be fantastic competition for Junior Firpo and Sam Byram. He’d be an excellent addition, I’ve got no doubt about that.”
In other Leeds United news, Phil Hay expects the Whites to make a transfer decision on a “dead-set” player in the coming days.
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