Joe Harper: The three attributes Aberdeen should prioritise in their search for a new striker.
Aberdeen’s all-time leading goalscorer discusses the crucial characteristics that any striker signed during the summer transfer window must possess. The key objective for Aberdeen manager Jimmy Thelin during the summer transfer window must be to find a quality striker to lead the attack. Proven goalscorers are in high demand and incredibly expensive, so Thelin and his recruitment team will have to scout Europe and beyond for a hidden gem. The purchase of Bojan Miovski from MTK Budapest for only £535,000 in summer 2022 demonstrates that quality players can be found at a reasonable price and then developed. With loan striker Kevin Nisbet returning to parent club Millwall and Oday Dabbagh returning to Charleroi, adding a goalscorer is essential.
Bojan Miovski celebrates scoring 1-0 for Aberdeen in a Viaplay Cup semi-final against Hibs. Image: SNS.
There are several crucial components that Aberdeen should look for in a striker before making a signing offer. Ability to read the rhythm of a game. For me, a striker must possess game knowledge, character, and attitude. Ideally, Aberdeen will buy a centre forward who understands the game and can read the action as it unfolds. When you are a striker, football is like a game of chess, and you must plan several moves ahead of time to achieve checkmate – or goal. A striker must be able to read the game and sense the rhythm of play in order to anticipate where the ball will land in the box.
Kevin Nisbet of Aberdeen celebrates scoring to make it 1-0 over Hibs in the Premiership at Pittodrie. Image: SNS.
There’s no point standing around waiting for the ball to arrive. I used to anticipate and look for ball deliveries into the penalty area when playing. I did not wait for it. An intense desire to score goals. A talented striker is always going to be closely watched, therefore it’s pointless to ask teammates to pass the ball directly to you. Instead, you must be always thinking and expecting, which is why I instructed my teammates to simply get the ball inside the box. That was my region, and they knew I would be there to get on the end of it.
Aberdeen After defeating Celtic in the Scottish Cup final, captain Graeme Shinnie lifts the trophy at Hampden. Image: SNS
Another trait that any striker must possess is the desire, bravery, and tenacity to get on the end of a ball played into the box. A striker must believe that the ball is his; he will win it, shoot, and score. There should be tunnel vision and a burning desire to score goals. Gems can be found at a reasonable price. If Aberdeen can find a striker who ticks all of those boxes, they will have made an excellent purchase.
Aberdeen’s Director of Football, Steven Gunn, Chairman Dave Cormack, and Chief Executive Alan Burrows celebrate their Scottish Cup victory at Hampden. Image: SNS
Miovski was that kind of penalty box performer, scoring 44 goals in two seasons to earn a near-£7 million move to Spanish La Liga team Girona. Unfortunately, Miovski has struggled in Spain, scoring only four goals for Girona since joining last summer. Aberdeen was able to acquire Miovski from an MTK Budapest squad that had recently been relegated from the Hungarian top division at the end of the 2021-22 season. They also paid £100,000 for midfielder Ylber Ramadani from MTK Budapest that summer.
Ylber Ramadani, a former Aberdeen midfielder, is in action for Lecce, closing down Torino’s Antonio Sanabria. Image: Shutterstock. Ramadani was another important player before being traded to Italian club Lecce for £1.1 million. Top players can be found at low prices if you look in the correct places. Aberdeen certainly needs to buy a goalscorer this summer, but I’d like to see young attackers Alfie Bavidge and Fletcher Boyd emerge next season. Both Bavidge and Boyd have demonstrated a goal-oriented mindset.
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