Leeds United’s pursuit of a striker this month has seen them chasing two players from the same club.
Reports have indicated that United are interested in two Sheffield United forwards in the shape of David McGoldrick and Billy Sharp.
It’s clear to see which forward is more highly-rated at Bramall Lane as McGoldrick has started 15 league games this term compared to Sharp’s solitary start, but which player would be better for Leeds?
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Sharp has already played for the Elland Road outfit of course, but after netting 23 league goals for the Blades last term he’s proven that he can still do a job in the Championship.
McGoldrick didn’t score quite as many as the club captain, but he did win the Blades’ Player of the Year award, while Sharp was nominated for the Championship’s top individual prize.
It’s hard to separate the pair, so we asked our writers to give their verdicts on who would be the better signing.
Matt Dawson “Both players had impressive records in the Championship last season, racking up double figures for goal contributions. Sharp was among the nominees for the EFL’s Championship Player of the Year while McGoldrick won his Club’s Player of the Season award. “That points to two individuals who more than know how to hack it at the level required for Leeds, especially after they earned promotion themselves with Sheffield United.“However, if I had to pick between the two, it would be Sharp that I’d favour. His fellow Blades teammate may press well from the front, making 1.9 tackles per game, but he isn’t as clinical in front of goal, finding the net 15 times last term. “In comparison, 33-year-old Sharp scored on 23 separate occasions in 2018/19 and would offer an all-round goal threat that might well be unrivalled at Leeds. Patrick Bamford is Marcelo Bielsa’s choice, but he went ten games without scoring this season. With that in mind, the Whites need someone they can rely on to find the net with regularity. Sharp can be the man to replace Nketiah.” Danny Lewis
“There were plenty of positives to take from Leeds’ performance against Arsenal, but if there was one downside it was a lack of prolificacy, as they failed to score from any of their 18 shots during the game.
“When looking at somebody who can help that issue, there probably aren’t too many better options at Championship level than Billy Sharp. He indicated that last season, eventually ending Sheffield United’s promotion campaign with 27 goal contributions.
“He even showed his knack for getting goals at the beginning of the current campaign, sticking a leg out to get the ball in the back of the net and salvage a point against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. McGoldrick will bring his own benefits, but Leeds should go all out for Sharp.”
Billy Meyers “I think Leeds would be foolish to look past Billy Sharp in this two-man decision. The Sheffield United man became the highest-scoring player in English league football this century with a goal against Wigan last January, and he is quite simply one of the best around at finding the back of the net in the Football League.“Marcelo Bielsa loves Patrick Bamford and seems to start him in every game, so all Leeds need really is a backup to the former Crystal Palace striker as well as someone who can score the vital goals which will fire them to promotion. “Sharp is so good at what he does that he won’t need much time to settle, for he is a well-acquainted figure in Championship football – he could be gold dust for Bielsa.” Charles Jones
“It’s almost impossible to separate the two strikers based on their performances last season. One won the club’s Player of the Year award, while the other was nominated for the Championship’s Player of the Year accolade.
“Sharp is the better goalscorer as he bagged eight more than McGoldrick last term, but you’ve got to be so much more than that to play for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, and that’s where the Irishman has the edge.
“McGoldrick’s pressing game is excellent, averaging 1.9 tackles per game, and that’s exactly what Bielsa would want from a striker. For that reason he’s the one they should be going for.”
In other news, Leeds have been told they have to pay £7m to land another one of their striker targets…
