A tight title race in the winter of 2020 derailed when suspensions for Alfredo Morelos and injury to Jermain Defoe saw us run out goals and run out of ideas with the tireless Florian Kamberi being asked to fill the void and provide back-up – one goal in his time on loan suggesting that he wasn’t up to the task.
Kamberi wasn’t the first choice though and he was a last-minute signing after Rangers failed to get Matej Vydra on loan from Burnley, the then Premier League outfit cancelled the deal due to their own inability to get a replacement – a sliding doors moment if ever there was one.
The Czech Republic international striker has a goal or assist every three games throughout his career having spent most of it in England, the one-time £10million player is now available on a free transfer after his contract expired at the end of the season.
He’s got a decent injury record – despite currently being on his way back to fitness following a knee injury – and, at 30-years old, still, has plenty of miles left in the tank. Given how rarely we see Kemar Roofe, surely it would be worth bringing in another striker to support Alfredo Morelos and Antonio Colak?
Vydra is also the type of striker who wouldn’t have to adjust his game to play for us having spent most of his time playing as a lone forward until he went to Burnley – the last few seasons have seen him play more of a bit part role though and second fiddle to the likes of Wout Weghorst, Chris Wood, Ashley Barnes and Jay Rodriguez.
There aren’t many unattached players about that would improve our squad but Vydra would be worth a look at and, given we were interested in the past, we should know all about him.
Somebody will get a bargain, hopefully, it is us.
I do wish these so called sport reporters would do their research first. The reason nobody has signed him yet is the fact he has a cruciate knee injury that he picked up towards the end of the season with Burnley. He is going to be out until at least the end of the year, so signing him now would be pointless if it’s goals you are expecting tight away.
Yeah, he has missed preseason anyway so probably wouldn’t be up to speed until after World Cup which is his projected return. He would be a good signing on a free imo for both short (this season) and longer term depending on right contract.