49ers transfer misery tempered as Lukas Nmecha update covers up mess at Leeds United
Leeds United’s pursuit of a striker in the winter market was nothing short of a disaster.
The 49ers failed in signing Jorgen Strand Larsen after Crystal Palace’s £48million bid for the Wolves star blew the Whites’ low-ball offer out of the water.
Daniel Farke wanted to sign a new number nine and made that clear to Leeds chiefs, but they failed the German head coach.
Yes, Joel Piroe’s stubborn exit stance didn’t help things, but if the 49ers had £35m to spend, why didn’t it get splashed on someone else?
Paraag Marathe and Co. didn’t have a backup plan for Strand Larsen – that’s why, and they’ve truly got away with one amid concern on Lukas Nmecha‘s injury.
Lukas Nmecha expected to be involved in Nottingham Forest clash
Nmecha has been dealing with a hamstring issue recently and missed the Whites’ 4-0 loss against Arsenal last time out in the Premier League.
The forward has already missed parts of the season through injury, and is already proving to be a major fitness concern for Farke, given his importance for the team up top.
Nmecha has been a good signing considering he came to LS11 on a free deal this summer, but his constant setbacks answer the question once more of why the 49ers didn’t sign another striker.
- Nmecha has had hamstring and thigh issues this season
- He has five goals in the Premier League
- The German averages 0.74 goals per 90 minutes
According to Leeds Live on Wednesday, the hope is that Nmecha will be back fit in time for the Whites’ game against relegation rivals Nottingham Forest this Friday.
The 27-year-old is an important player for Farke, and his availability is key for Leeds’ chances of Premier League survival.
The Whites could be another Nmecha injury away from slipping into troubling waters regarding options up top following a mess of a transfer window.
Or even worse, losing Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Why Dominic Calvert-Lewin needs to be placed in bubble wrap for Leeds
Calvert-Lewin has been a revelation for Leeds this campaign and has proved to be one of the Premier League’s most lethal strikers again.
The forward has hit a bit of a dry spell in front of the goal, but no one will have any doubts that he will soon return to his usual goal-scoring ways.
| Games | 22 |
| Shots | 44 |
| Goals | 9 |
| Expected goals | 9.60 |
It goes without saying, really, but the Whites would be in the relegation zone right now if it weren’t for Calvert-Lewin.
Given the Englishman’s history with fitness issues, though, it brings up the conversation of the 49ers’ incompetence once again.
Farke has been hung out to dry this winter with a lack of signings, and could just be one or two injuries away from everything falling apart, and if it does, he cannot be blamed.
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