Leeds United is facing a significant challenge as they approach the January transfer window – their ongoing struggle to convert chances into goals. Despite Patrick Bamford’s departure to Sheffield United, the team continues to grapple with the long-standing issue of finishing opportunities. It’s no secret that Marcelo Bielsa’s tenure at Elland Road was plagued by this problem, with Bamford exemplifying this issue with dismal chance conversion numbers.
However, the impending opening of the January transfer window presents an opportunity for manager Daniel Farke to address this pressing concern and improve Leeds’ performance in the upcoming campaign’s second half. Even though the club’s recent form has shown signs of improvement, they are still embroiled in the Premier League relegation battle and have managed to score a mere 19 goals in their first 15 matches of the season.
Sofascore’s statistics indicate that Leeds have created a respectable 32 big chances this season, placing them 10th in the league. But the issue arises in their conversion rate as they have squandered 21 of these opportunities, placing them joint-seventh with Newcastle in missing crucial chances. Furthermore, while the team is ranked ninth in the top flight for shots on goal per game (12.3), their shots on target per game figure of 3.8 puts them joint-13th alongside struggling Fulham.
It is evident that Leeds United has a noticeable issue with converting chances, which is mirrored in their xG (expected goals) figures. The team’s xG stands at 20.96 for the current season, indicating a shortfall of 1.96 goals from their actual tally. This underperformance has led to Leeds’ xPTS (expected points) being calculated at 21.43, a discrepancy of 6.43 points – one of the worst differentials in the Premier League, only surpassed by already demoted Wolves.
While many may attribute Leeds’ point drop to defensive lapses, Farke has the option to focus on resolving the team’s offensive inefficiency by capitalizing on goal-scoring opportunities more effectively. Football pundit Andy Brassell has suggested Leeds target Feyenoord’s Ayase Ueda in the upcoming transfer window, highlighting the Japanese striker’s impressive goal-scoring record in the Eredivisie.
Ueda, who has netted 18 goals in just 15 league games this season, stands out as a potential solution to Leeds’ scoring troubles. Brassell believes that Ueda could seamlessly fit into Leeds’ attacking setup, possibly forming a fruitful partnership with left-back Gabriel Gudmundsson. Despite reported interest from Liverpool, Ueda seems focused on playing consistently to enhance his chances for Japan’s World Cup squad selection next summer.
With Ueda’s market value deemed affordable and his contract running until 2028, Leeds could greatly benefit from acquiring the Feyenoord star to bolster their striking options. While there may be competition from other Premier League clubs for his signature, Ueda’s arrival could significantly improve Leeds United’s goal-scoring prowess and enhance their performance in the ongoing season.
