Leeds United produced a pitiful performance in their 3-0 defeat against Brighton at the Amex Stadium on Saturday, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin looking lost up front again. They again agonisingly flat in attack, and rarely looked like threatening a Brighton defence, who had conceded three goals the previous weekend.
The Whites have lost five of their opening ten Premier League games, and have 11 points on board. While their defence has stood up in a few games, they are continuing to struggle to score goals at this level.
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Only the bottom three sides have scored less than Leeds, and that is nothing to write home about. They are not creating enough, and in Dominic Calvert-Lewin, they have a number 9 who hasnβt been a consistent goal threat in the Premier League for a few years.
The former Everton man has scored just once, and there is serious concern that if Leeds do not bring in a striker in the winter window, survival would be a huge challenge.
Here are three strikers Leeds United could bring in to replace Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Ivan Toney β A loan from Al-Ahli
The former Brentford man could be the best striker available in the upcoming transfer window. Toney wants to return to the Premier League in January to boost his chances of making the England squad for the World Cup next summer. There will be a queue of Premier League clubs who are keen to sign the England international, and Everton manager David Moyes has already spoken about the possibility of taking Toney to the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Attacking Metric Value (Per 90)
π₯ **Goals** 0.84
π― Expected Goals (**xG**) 0.74
β xG on Target (**xGOT**) 0.85
PK Penalty goals 0.34
π« Non-penalty xG 0.48
π Shots 3.38
β Shots on target 1.35
Toney is on prohibitive wages at Al-Ahli, and any deal for him to return to England would be a loan deal with the Saudi club heavily subsidising his salary. Leeds must get involved in the race to sign the former Brentford man, if itβs financially feasible, as he would be a huge upgrade on Calvert-Lewin.
Alexander Sorloth
Alexander Sorloth is not the same striker who struggled at Crystal Palace, scoring only 1 goal in 20 appearances. He has developed into a reliable goalscorer, netting 24 goals for Atletico Madrid last season.
He is not a certain starter at the Wanda Metropolitano this season, which has affected his numbers. However, the 29-year-old forward remains a solid option for any team willing to take a bet on him in the winter window.
Attacking Metric Value (Per 90)
π₯ **Goals** 0.42
π― Expected Goals (**xG**) 0.34
β xG on Target (**xGOT**) 0.46
π« Non-penalty xG 0.34
π Shots 2.51
β Shots on target 1.47
The Norwegian wants to play more football in the second half of the season, and would welcome an opportunity to prove himself in the Premier League again if Leeds want to sign him.
He has a contract until 2028, and Atletico Madrid could agree to loan him out in January if he agitates for a move.
Josh Sargent
Josh Sargent has been incessantly linked with a move to Leeds since Daniel Farke became manager in 2023. The Leeds boss has been keen to sign the forward he coached at Norwich City, but so far, the Canaries have managed to hold on to.
Attacking Metric Value (Per 90)
π₯ **Goals** 0.40
π― Expected Goals (**xG**) 0.42
β xG on Target (**xGOT**) 0.33
PK Penalty goals 0.08
π« Non-penalty xG 0.35
π Shots 2.71
β Shots on target 0.88
He made a brilliant start to the season in the Championship, but his form, like Norwichβs, has tailed off, and he has been struggling for goals in recent weeks. However, in Farke, he has a huge backer at Elland Road, and Leeds remain interested in doing a deal to sign the striker in the winter window.
Norwich would want to hold on to him, but he wants to play in the Premier League. If his former manager wants him at Leeds, the American striker would answer the call.
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