After a 16 year wait, Leeds United have finally been promoted back to the Premier League. They are being linked to world-class strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Edinson Cavani. Here are 5 reasons why they can profit from the experience of Zlatan Ibrahimovic or Edinson Cavani.
1. Free Agents
Cavani and Ibrahimovic both will be free agents by the end of this season. They are in the last 6 months of their contract and are allowed to negotiate with interested clubs. Having spent the previous 7 years as the central striker for PSG, Cavani went out of favor after Mauro Icardi arrived at the club. Zlatan Ibrahimovic, on the other hand, came back to Europe after a spell at MLS club LA Galaxy. He has not confirmed that he will be leaving AC Milan at the end of the season. His contract also has a one-year extension clause. If Leeds United successfully bring even one of these two to Elland Road, it will be the perfect homecoming gift to their loyal supporters. The club wouldn’t have to pay a release clause to secure the services of the players!
2. Proven Experience
Ibrahimovic and Cavani both have been playing at the top levels in Europe for more than 10 years each. Ibrahimovic has played for Malmo, Ajax, Inter Milan, AC Milan, Juventus, Barcelona, PSG, Manchester United, and LA Galaxy. His career has spanned about 20 years, winning 31 trophies. Cavani has played for Danubio, Palermo, Napoli and Paris Saint Germain. He has won several trophies at club level as well as the Copa America with Uruguay in 2011. Cavani and Ibrahimovic are 33 and 38 respectively and are extremely experienced.
3. World Class players.
The abilities of Ibrahimovic and Cavani can not be questioned. Although past their prime physical years, both of them still bang in goals for fun. Cavani has 6 goal contributions in 14 games in League One this season, while Ibrahimovic has 11 goal contributions in 16 games in the Serie A this season. Both of them have performed at the highest level of football for several years. Ibrahimovic has one of the most prestigious awards in football, the Puskas award, which he received in 2013 for his goal against England. The Swede has scored over 550 career goals while Cavani has over 200 career goals.
4. Suitable to Marcelo Bielsa’s style
If Leeds manage to secure the signatures of their dream attacking duo, they will become one of the biggest attacking threats in the league. Marcelo Bielsa took over a struggling Leeds United side and turned the same group of players into champions. We can just think and imagine what he’ll do with these two world-class strikers upfront. The two have been strike-partners before when they played together at Paris Saint Germain. It rained goals every game and PSG were unstoppable. PSG usually played in a 4-4-2 with Ibrahimovic and Cavani leading the line. Leeds can adopt a similar formation, with Kalvin Philips giving the midfield defensive solidity so the wing backs can push forward.
5. Perfect challenge to Patrick Bamford
Patrick Bamford was bought last season from Middlesbrough as Marcelo Bielsa’s marquee signing. The 26-year-old has since lead the line at Elland Road, scoring 25 goals in 67 appearances in the championship. Many fans still argue that Bamford hasn’t shown his true potential yet, which might just be true. He has failed to convert several key chances and lacks the eye for goal like Ibrahimovic and Cavani. If Leeds are successful in signing both of them, Bamford will surely be dropped to the bench, which might be an inspiration for him to work hard and be a better player and prove his worth when given a chance. The duo might also serve as great idols to Bamford as they might help him be a better striker and be mentors for him.
