One year on and Leeds United won’t regret missing out on Ashley Fletcher

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A year ago saw Leeds United being linked yet again with young striker Ashley Fletcher. As initially reported by The Sun on Sunday (21/01/18; pg 68), the talented former Manchester United man was wanted either permanently or on loan until the end of the season. Paul Heckingbottom had previously worked with him during a Barnsley loan spell so this story certainly had legs.

His name was not new to Leeds fans. He had previously been linked when Garry Monk was in charge. Monk eventually did get his man, but after he had left Leeds for Middlesbrough. He cost £6.5 million from West Ham but never found his feet on Riverside.

Last year Leeds again did not get hold of Fletcher. Instead, they signed Tyler Roberts from West Brom.

Fletcher went on to join Sunderland and Leeds fans will hardly consider it a missed opportunity in hindsight.

The 23-year-old managed just two goals for the Black Cats and was unsuccessful in helping them turn around their relegation troubles. Often criticised by the Sunderland fanbase, Leeds were clearly not missing out.

This season, he has played just 12 times for Boro and whilst his goal-rate has improved, hitting the back of the net four times, it is hardly a tally that will have Leeds regretting.

There is talent there and hopefully, he can find himself a club where he plays more regularly in the near future. But it probably won’t be Leeds United.