Paul Merson names one area ‘massive’ Leeds ‘need’ to strengthen this summer
Paul Merson has claimed that Leeds United must sign a striker who can score goals in the Premier League ahead of next season.
The Whites secured their promotion to the top flight last weekend, and the ex-Arsenal man has argued that they are still a “massive football club”.
But for Marcelo Bielsa’s men to give themselves the best possible chance of surviving at the top table, they must bring in a forward who can fire them to safety.
Writing in a column for the Daily Star, he said: “Fair play to Marcelo Bielsa for sticking around at Leeds. After what happened last season, when Leeds blew promotion, the easiest thing for him would have been to walk away.
“But he didn’t. He had another crack, stuck to his principles and it has all worked out for them. Leeds deserve a lot of credit for going for him in the first place. He was the expensive option because, let’s face it, he’s not on a youth scheme is he? But he’s got the results.
“Leeds will have a right go and I think they will do well, but Bielsa will have to sign some new players. They need a striker who can score goals at that level.
“Leeds are still a massive football club and it’s hard to believe they haven’t been in the top flight for 16 years.”
Another striker wouldn’t go amiss at Leeds this summer, but then again, what club wouldn’t turn down the chance to sign a goalscorer?
It is important to point out that Patrick Bamford deserves some praise for the work he has done this season too though.
Yes, there have been times when he could have been more deadly in front of goal, and his goals per game ratio of 0.36 from an xG of 0.6 this season, as per Wyscout, hardly reflects brilliantly on him.
But at the same time, Bielsa keeps him around for a reason, and his work ethic and attitude are second to none.
Merson is right in the sense that we could do with a 20-goal-a-season striker, but Bamford deserves his chance in the top flight too.
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