Replacing Chris Wood’s goals won’t be the easiest of tasks for Leeds United, with the New Zealand international showing his prolific form and quality by outscoring every other player in the Championship last season.
Whites manager Thomas Christiansen has already recruited the services of Dutch youth international Jay Roy Grot from Nijmegen, and could still land Middlesbrough striker Rudy Gestede before the curtain is drawn on the transfer window on Thursday.
However, English forward Kemar Roofe, who has always desired to lead the line for Leeds according to the Daily Mail, could end up getting his wish this season following an explosive start to life in the position.
Since arriving from League Two side Oxford United, where he bagged 18 goals in 40 games in 2015-16, Roofe has struggled to lay claim to the sole striking position available at Leeds.
The 24-year-old has had to settle for a spot on the wing, scoring a paltry 3 goals in 42 Championship appearances last term.
During weekend’s 2-nil win over Nottingham Forest, the West Brom youth product took his tally across all competitions this season to 4, following an hattrick in the 5-1 League Cup win over Newport County earlier last week.
With manager Thomas Christiansen a Johan Cruyff-inspired tactician due to his Camp Nou playing days, trying out players in different positions remains a desire.
The Spaniard has spoken of his plans to play Roofe upfront, saying, “If he plays striker he can score goals, as he has shown in the last two games. If I have to put him on the side, I will do it. I have that luck.”
Roofe would likely be presented with the opportunity to step into Wood’s big shoes this term, and going by his earlier promises, he seems likely to follow in the giant steps of Burnley’s new striker.
