Why Middlesbrough should sign Kenneth Zohore on loan from West Brom
According to The Northern Echo, Middlesbrough have submitted a loan offer for out-of-favour West Brom striker Kenneth Zohore, with manager Neil Warnock looking to bring in two new strikers before the closure of the summer window.
As per the report, the Baggies would ideally like to offload Zohore permanently after he struggled for playtime under Slaven Bilic last season. However, with most clubs lacking enough funds in the post-pandemic market, West Brom are ready to sanction a loan deal for the Danish hitman.
Middlesbrough have also been linked with former Arsenal striker Yaya Sanogo, but it is understood that Zohore remains Warnock’s No.1 option, having previously worked with him at Cardiff City. (h/t Northern Echo)
Boro’s attacking woes
Warnock’s timely appointment as the manager towards the end of last season proved decisive as the veteran gaffer successfully steered Middlesbrough clear of the relegation zone in the Championship.
Boro eventually finished 17th in the standings, five points above the relegation zone, and a mammoth 17 points adrift of the top six. The Teessiders ended a dismal campaign with 48 goals in 46 games, which was the worst scoring record in the entire division.
Britt Assombalonga (11 goals, 2 assists) and Ashley Fletcher (11 goals, 7 assists) were among the major goal contributors for the club in the Championship last term. However, Boro’s lack of depth in front of goal was badly exposed when either of the two players missed out due to injury.
The departure of Rudy Gestede this summer has further depleted the Teessiders of some depth and experience up top. Youngster Stephen Walker showed strong signs of promise last season but Boro ideally need another proven striker to ensure adequate depth and healthy competition for places.
Hence, it goes without saying that Middlesbrough need to bolster their attack with some new signings this summer to improve on their lacklustre numbers from the previous campaign and possibly launch an unlikely bid for promotion.
Why Zohore could be the answer
Kenneth Zohore netted just 3 goals in 17 Championship appearances for West Brom last season, with only 5 of those outings coming as a starter. He clearly wasn’t fancied by Slaven Bilic but his past track record in the English second tier means that he is more than capable of delivering the goods at this level.
In fact, Zohore played a key role in Cardiff City’s promotion to the Premier League under Neil Warnock’s stewardship a couple of seasons ago. The Dane racked up an impressive tally of 23 goals and 10 assists in 77 appearances for the Bluebirds in the English second tier, thus proving his worth as a quality goalscorer.
The 26-year-old has the experience and the quality to challenge the likes of Fletcher and Assombalonga at Middlesbrough. Furthermore, the Dane’s knowledge of Warnock’s tactics should allow him to settle down quickly at the Riverside Stadium.
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Verdict
Middlesbrough are yet to make any attacking signings in the summer window and it’s high time for them to get the ball rolling, with only a week left for the Championship campaign to kick off.
Having said that, Kenneth Zohore presents a lucrative option in the market, and Warnock’s reunion with his former Cardiff star can have a transformative impact on Middlesbrough’s ailing attack.
