Why Leeds United should beat Stoke City to sign Che Adams in January
According to a report from the Telegraph, Stoke City manager Gary Rowett is planning a £5m January raid on former club Birmingham for striker Che Adams. Birmingham City signed the forward in the summer of 2016 from Sheffield United when Rowett was in charge at St Andrew’s.
Che Adams, 22, has been key to Birmingham’s encouraging start to the Championship season, contributing with eight goals and three assists. His blistering form has lifted Birmingham to the edge of the playoff race, thus attracting interest from Rowett and Stoke City.
But Leeds United must rival Stoke for the forward’s signature in January.
Leeds United are firmly involved in the promotion chase under Marcelo Bielsa. The boss has changed the dynamics of the club, employing a possession-based, free-flowing football at Elland Road this season. The Argentine is one of the top tacticians in world football and under him, Leeds are primed to earn promotion to the top-flight.
The Whites, however, have lost a little bit of momentum in the last month or so, with injuries and the poor form of key players all playing a huge part. And with such a crucial run of fixtures set to follow, Bielsa’s Leeds cannot afford to let complacency creep in if they are to stay in the promotion hunt.
Given the fact that Bielsa’s high-intensity stay of play has arguably taken a toll on the players, Leeds could help their manager by providing him with funds to spend in January. Should that happen, Bielsa must definitely try signing a forward and Adams would fit the bill at Elland Road.
Che Adams can operate anywhere across the forward line but is at his devastating best when deployed through on the flank. He has formed an unbelievable partnership with Lukas Jutkiewicz and the pair has scored 18 goals between them, with Adams scoring eight.
The 22-year-old is blessed with frightening pace, power, dribbling skills and tenacity. He can beat his marker quite easily before swinging in a cross for the striker to feed upon in the box. Adams is direct with his approach and has a penchant for taking long shots.
Landing Adams could see him take some burden off Kemar Roofe’s shoulders. The 22-year-old would be a brilliant addition for Bielsa and give Leeds top-quality cover in the forward department. The 22-year-old’s Championship experience would come in handy as well.
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Hence, Leeds must not think twice before splashing the cash on Adams in January.