'We've got to look...' - Paul Heckingbottom outlines key Preston North End transfer criteria
PNE will be on the search for a striker this summer
Centre-forwards will absolutely be on the agenda for Preston North End this summer.
Manager Paul Heckingbottom has already hinted he would like to bring in three of them. With Milutin Osmajic, Callum Lang and Michael Smith contracted, at least one of those may need to leave, in order to sign that many.
Daniel Jebbison, Lewis Dobbin, Will Keane and Milos Lukovic are gone from last year, so at least a couple should be added in the upcoming transfer window. As ever, dreams of landing a 20-goal striker will be harboured.
These are, though, becoming more and more of a dying breed. In the last three years, only three CFs have hit 20 plus: Zan Vipotnik, Adam Armstrong and Sammie Szmodics. Ten strikers in the last five years have done it; three have won promotion.
Lots of strikers, despite being closer to 10 than 20, have still had big impacts: Tommy Conway, Josh Coburn, Jovon Makama, Mihailo Ivanovic, George Hirst, Patrick Agyemang, Zian Flemming, Wilson Isidor, Tyrese Campbell, Ellis Simms and more.
Heckingbottom has previously said his strikers must excel at two key things: linking the game and finishing chances. But does the PNE boss believe the club must look beyond goal scoring numbers, and more at all-round package when it comes to number nines?
Heckingbottom’s verdict
“Yeah, I think we do,” said Heckingbottom. “You said there's just three who've done it in the last few years... What's the point in us even looking for one? We've got to look for someone who helps the team first and foremost, and helps us score goals.
“I think Milly's more about his threat. He's got a specific style which is very dangerous. So, we know what Milly can bring and what his threat is. But we've got to make sure, within the squad, we can carry a threat no matter how the opposition set up.”