Leeds United

15 goals, 22 chances created: Leeds United long-term transfer target could be worth the wait

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The evaluating continues as Leeds United weigh up bringing in another striker.

Leeds have missed out on Charles De Ketelaere and their transfer business has slowed right down on the back of that.

Jesse Marsch has suggested Leeds will evaluate their striking options and the market in wake of losing Patrick Bamford to injury in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Southampton, on an afternoon where Joe Gelhardt was also absent.

One name to crop up in the forward discussion at Leeds is Brandon Vazquez of Cincinnati. Ben Jacobs reports how he’s someone ”being tracked” although a move this summer is unlikely for the pending USMNT forward, despite Marsch’s admiration.

It’s easy to understand why Marsch likes what he sees of the 23-year-old, who has scored 15 goals and registered four assists in 2,173 MLS minutes this calendar year.

As per Wyscout, those goals come at an xG of 0.62 per 90 minutes. The Cincinnati ace averages 2.4 shots per game and 4.27 touches in the opposition penalty area. He’s clinical.

Vazquez is a goalscorer, but he’s also someone that creates. His four assists align with his xA in 2022, whilst he’s created a total of 22 chances. One thing that stood out about De Ketelaere was that he wasn’t an out-and-out striker, he had flexibility within his play, which Vazquez also seems to.

Looking his numbers without the ball, Vazquez averages 1.95 interceptions and 2.32 recoveries per 90. Interestingly, 62.5% of those recoveries come in the opposition half, which is perhaps a nod to how he would suit the counter-pressing Leeds look to do.

At 23, he’s still young and, by arriving at Elland Road within the next 12 months, he’d carry a sell-on value, fitting into the club’s strategy when it comes to recruitment.

Do Leeds need to sign another striker this summer?

Yes

Yes

No

No

What needs to be considered here is the level Vazquez is playing at. There’s no denying that the Premier League is a huge jump from the MLS, despite these impressive figures and his seeming suitability to being that De Ketelaere alternative.

We’ve currently got Brenden Aaronson and Tyler Adams settling into life in England well, but their journey to the Premier League took them elsewhere in Europe first.

Maybe that’s the reason why Leeds aren’t moving on the 23-year-old this summer. Could they be waiting until the next two transfer windows to be totally sure of Vazquez and his talent?

That might be what Marsch means by evaluating the market for the right player.

De Ketelaere was a player they were 100% sure of. They need to make sure that Vazquez, or whoever they end up targeting, ticks the same boxes.

Quiz: Do you remember Leeds United’s last 15 results v Chelsea?

1 of 15

May 2022, Elland Road?

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Leeds United Season Ticket Holder at Elland Road for over 20 seasons. Currently nestled in N12, but occasionally offering views from the press box. We’ve been through it all together? You bet.