That penalty kick will have felt special for Lukas Nmecha, and not just because it was a winning goal on debut for his new club late on.
After just 16 minutes of Premier League football, the striker left Manchester City in 2021 after a series of loans. Dreams of becoming a concerted part of a top flight squad in England clouded and then came the battles with injury.
Chiefs at Wolfsburg hailed Nmecha’s attitude throughout his setbacks in Germany but there is undoubtedly a sense of regret for the 26-year-old. “If it wasn’t for some circumstances I maybe would have got here earlier,” he told broadcasters after scoring the winner for Leeds United against Everton.
He is delighted to be back in the Premier League, as the grinned expression on his face showed upon his first interview as a Leeds player. He will have arrived knowing he was unlikely to be first choice.
There is an argument to say he will be third pick now Dominic Calvert-Lewin is through the door, though reality says some games will call more for a Nmecha than a Joel Piroe. But regardless, that’s now three strikers who will all harbour intentions to be the number one choice.
And yet, Daniel Farke has not ruled out another centre-forward if the opportunity presents itself. “Competition is important but I'm not a believer in having six or seven [strikers] in the squad,” he said last week.
“I wouldn't rule out another striker signing. You always have to stay awake to the last second of this transfer window if there is an opportunity. But right now the focus is on other positions.”
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Substitute Nmecha’s goal, if not what came before it amid initial sloppy phases, highlighted the conundrum Farke faces. Some fans will hope another striker beyond Calvert-Lewin is brought in to strengthen the attack.
Many are fearful of Calvert-Lewin's injury record, as they are with Nmecha’s. Should both forwards be ruled out at the same time, there is only Piroe to lead the line and some will have doubts about this scoring onus.
On the other hand, if all strikers are fit, then it could be a case of too many cooks in the kitchen if a fourth option is signed. Someone is bound to be left very unhappy if they do slip to fourth pick - it will either be last season’s top scorer or a brand new signing.
That is what Farke is mindful of - a bloated cohort. If the signing of AC Milan winger Noah Okafor comes off then his ability to lead the line could be handy and perhaps hints that in fact no more centre-forwards will be acquired.
Team spirit and unity was crucial last season and will be more so this time around when the tough times come. Equilibrium is key but then there is no point having good bounce-back-ability if you keep losing every week or if historic injury problems arise.
This is the striker crossroads Farke must navigate in these final two weeks of the window; more quality or less quantity.
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