Why Middlesbrough should sign Lukas Nmecha from Manchester City
According to a report by the Sun, Manchester City youngster Lukas Nmecha is wanted by Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe after scouting him. The Cherries boss has been keeping close tabs on the England U21 international who is on loan at Preston.
Despite not opening the account for Preston this season, the 19-year-old has shown signs of quality whenever he has been on the pitch. He is one of the many young talents coming out of the Manchester City academy, but hasn’t received game time at the Etihad.
Other clubs are now getting interested in signing these prodigious talents and enhance the quality of their squad. Bournemouth and Howe are exactly after that. (Sun)
However, there is one more club that could do with a talented centre-forward in their ranks – Middlesbrough. It’s true that the Teesside club are second on the table and are well on course to fight for the Premier League promotion. However, their performance in front of the goal hasn’t been great.
Tony Pulis’ men have only scored 19 goals in 17 league games thus far, at an average of barely over one goal per match. Jordan Hugill did score a brace in their previous game against Wigan, but the loanee from West Ham hasn’t been proficient overall.
Britt Assombalonga seems to be the only option for Boro in front of the goal in terms of getting goals on a regular basis. Rudy Gestede and Ashley Fletcher have played very little football this season, and have not looked threatening yet.
Hence, it makes sense from Middlesbrough’s perspective to look out for a talented centre-forward, who can instantly impact the team in a positive way. And Lukas Nmecha could be that guy for Pulis and his men.
The 19-year-old possesses an array of talent at his disposal, right from having the pace to go past defenders, physicality and height to play the Pulis system as an attacker, and the ruthless shooting ability to score goals when required.
He hasn’t opened the scoring for Preston this season but he has supplied three assists and had a terrific season in Premier League Two last year, where he netted 15 goals in 11 games.
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Therefore, it is fair to say that Boro would improve their goal-scoring form if they sign the young Manchester City starlet. If they are going up this road, they have to ward off the challenge posed by one of the Premier League regulars.