VERDICT
Marcelo Bielsa could not have targeted a more well-equipped player to help Leeds United achieve Premier League promotion this season.
According to The Telegraph, Leeds are closing in on the £11million signing of Matej Vyrda from Derby County, with only minor details holding up the deal.
On the face of it, this looks like an excellent transfer for Bielsa as he seeks reinforcements to help the club achieve its goals this season. Vydra is an excellent goalscorer with a great record at this level and it’s a very decent fee for the number of goals he will be able to provide.
However, the Yorkshire giants have done their research with the Czech Republic striker because he is one of only a few players you could target if you want Premier League promotion experience.
The 26-year-old has been there and done it all before, he’s already lead a club to promotion when they weren’t really fancied to do so, why can’t he do it with Leeds this season?
In the 2014/15 Championship campaign, Vyrda spearheaded Watford’s promotion push as the club scored 91 goals in 46 matches. He got 16 of them and provided six assists, ultimately they finished second and promotion from the division was sealed. He, along with Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo, was the reason for the Hornet’s unlikely promotion (TransferMarkt).
It’s been a few years since that happened, but if anything the ex-Watford man has got better. He’s a more composed finisher, has better movement and has more experience in his general play. The 21 goals that he scored in 40 league appearances last season proves that, making him an exceptional signing.
Can history repeat itself once again? Can Matej Vydra lead Bielsa’s unlikely heroes to a return to the top division in English football? You wouldn’t bet against it.