Leeds manager Daniel Farke may be preparing his team for a return to the Premier League this summer amid a nail-biting Championship title chase.
Liverpool veteran Mark Lawrenson has urged Leeds United, Leicester City, Ipswich Town, and whoever else may be promoted to the Premier League this season to compete for Blackburn Rovers’ Sammie Szmodics.
The attacking midfielder joined Ewood Park from Peterborough United in the summer of 2022, but his first season produced only five goals and two assists in the second division. Despite Blackburn being in the relegation zone, Szmodics has been on fire for John Eustace’s side this season.
So far, the 28-year-old has scored 30 goals across all competitions, 24 of which have come in the Championship. Szmodics has played as both a centre forward and an attacking midfielder this season and will be familiar to Leeds supporters.
Last time out, the midfielder scored the only goal as Blackburn defeated the Whites 1-0 at Elland Road, putting a spanner in Leeds’ promotion hopes. While it is unclear who will be promoted to the Premier League next season, Lawrenson believes those who are likely to be promoted should strive to bring Szmodics on board.
“I could see Sammie Szmodics playing in the Premier League next season as he’s an out-and-out goal scorer,” Lawrenson told Football League World. “I could see him fitting into one of the sides promoted from the Championship this season, either as a number 10, winger, or primary striker.
“I couldn’t see him fitting into any of the teams in the top 10 of the Premier League, but he’s not far away as he’s a goal scorer, and that’s priceless for any team.” Leeds can return to the automatic promotion places on Monday night when they go to Middlesbrough.
