This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
We’re another week closer to January, and that means that we’re another week closer to finally figuring out what on earth is going to happen with Eddie Nketiah.
The Sun reckon he’s staying, while Football Insider have reported that Leeds expect him to be recalled.
The truth is in there somewhere, but one major Leeds source has stayed rather neutral on the matter.
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Indeed, Phil Hay hasn’t given a definitive answer on what will happen to the striker, as he’s only ever given his personal opinion on the matter, but he’s stated that he will have an offer from another team in January.
What’s been said then?
The Atheltic’s Leeds United correspondent was asked on the latest edition of The Phil Hay Show (13/12/19), whether or not he has a feeling about whether or not Nketiah will go back to Arsenal in January.
“I think I do, to be honest. Leeds have been briefing that he’s very happy, and I can’t speak for him and what he thinks exactly, but I speak to people who know him and the people around him, and I think there is frustration there about the little amount of game time he’s getting.” Hay said (10:20)
“It’s not to say that he will go back, but I just wonder. Bristol City will almost certainly have an offer on the table for him, and they’re in a good position in the league. There are other places he can go and play, and it seems to me that there isn’t a lot of sense from Arsenal’s point of view for him to stay for another six months.”
Could sway Arsenal
If Bristol City do have an offer ready for Nketiah in January that could be what sways Arsenal to recall him from the Yorkshire club.
The striker just isn’t getting a game at Leeds, and unfortunately, he’s going to get annoyed at that as he’s already shared his frustrations about being left on the bench.
If the Gunners get an alternative offer from Bristol City, a team that are also challenging at the top-end of the Championship, then they could consider sending him to the Robins.
Nketiah started off in impressive fashion, scoring regularly when he got his chance but he’s scored just one in his last eight league matches. That not only points to a forward out of form, but also to a young player struggling to get any match sharpness.
For the sake of his own career, he might be better off departing Leeds in January.
Meanwhile, our writers have been questioning whether or not one of Leeds’ January targets would be a good signing.
