We don't need a proven goalscorer at this level. That phrase has pretty much disappeared now we've had a proven goalscorer at this level on our books for four years and he's been pretty ****. So was Jordan Rhodes but at least we got our money back.
What we need is a player who can hold the ball up, who can win his share of headers in the air and will do plenty of running. Failing that we need a head the ball. We don't need someone who scores lots of goals. We need someone who helps the team score lots of goals.
A Wilkinson, a fjortoft, a Nugent.
Mbenza 5 goals 8 assists =13
Diedheiou - 10 goals , 1 assist = 11
Charlie Wyke - 26 goals , 4 assists = 30
Michael Smith - 9 goals , 3 assists =12
Joe Pigott - 15 goals , 5 assists = 20
James Collins - 10 goals , 1 assist = 11
All fit the above requirements , so plenty of choice .
I think the forward DOES need to score goals , you can't rely on the ones behind him to get enough , unless they are prolific
Put 2/3 of the ones below Behind one/ two of them
Dion Charles - 18 goals - 3 assists = 21
Rhys Healey - 10 goals - 1 assist = 11
Jerry Yates - 16 goals - 4 assists = 20
Carlos Mendes Gomes - 12 goals , 3 assists = 15
Jorge Grant - AM - 15 goals - 11 assists = 26 ( out for season with injury )
Stick 3 out of them 5 behind one / two of the top 6 above and you would get goals I believe , although not proven in championship ( neither was Watkins / Vardy)
Mbenza , Diedheiou , Smith and Collins would be the proven championship front 4 ..Could they play together ? Yes ,Colin's behind Smith, the other 2 wide of them, but more likely replace each other in rotation .47 goals and assists between them . All free transfers
Wyke , Pigott , Charles , Yates and Gomes have 106 goals and assists between them , add Jorge Grant behind with his 26 and you have 132 goals ,so that is an alternative worth considering , as wages will be much lower , but goals is much higher .Could they play together ?Yes .Can they step up ? That's the risk , but worth taking.
Also All free transfers , Yates apart , and good ages.
Maybe a nice mix ? Problem being , every team wants the same players we do.
Jorge Grant - AM -15 goals - 11 assists - 26 - out of contract so a no brainer , ( out for the season with injury and may need operation )
So care needed to check his fitness )