JORDAN RHODES - WHERE FROM HERE?

 

 

 

Records and accolades at Huddersfield

• Player of the Year (11/12) and League One Players Player of the Year (11/12).

• Golden-Boot winner for the last three seasons (09/10, 10/11, 11/12).

• Successive hat-tricks (11/12), Fastest ever headed hat-trick (Eight minutes 09/10), Joint most goals in one match (Five v Wycombe 11/12), Most league goals in a regular season (Thirty-Six 11/12).

Goals scored (domestically)

• 09/10 - 53 games 23 goals.

• 10/11 - 48 games 22 goals.  

• 11/12 - 46 games 40 goals.

 Goals scored (internationally)

• 8 goals in 8 games for the Scottish Under-21's (highest ever scorer at that level). Made his full international debut in November '11, coming off the bench in Cyprus.

WHAT NEXT?

 

After another terrific goalscoring season (his best to date), culminating in his side being promoted to The Championship back in May - Jordan Rhodes now has a big decision to make. Does he remain at The Galpharm, or make a big money move, elsewhere.

After staying loyal to The Yorkshire Club back in January, when speculation about a move elsewhere was rife, Rhodes finds himself in a similar dilemma this summer. Most recently - West Ham, Fulham and Celtic have been strongly linked with Oldham-born Scot, with Rhodes himself, refusing to give any clues as to where his future may lie.

 

Huddersfield Town.

Jordan Rhodes has come a long way since moving to Huddersfield from Ipswich, back in 2009. In his three years at the club, Rhodes has fast become a real fans favorite and continues to impress, season on season. Since moving north, his goalscoring record speaks for itself, but perhaps the most noticeable improvement took place last season (11/12). Prior to his record-breaking campaign this year, his all-round game wasn't quite up to a standard worthy of being linked to clubs in leagues above. He would quite often go missing in games and see very little of the ball. For all the goals he scored, he offered little else in way of contribution. Consequently, under Lee Clark's management - this occasionally led to him being dropped for a more 'hard-working', if less clinical alternative, as Town looked to gain promotion from the third tier.

During 11/12, the talented striker has significantly improved this aspect of his game. Known for his desire to keep improving - Rhodes' efforts on the training ground have given him that missing ingredient. Very rarely now, does Rhodes play little part in Town's attacking play (other than put the ball in the net). Indeed, he is a far more active striker when in and around the opposition area. Forever making diagonal runs (often unselfishly creating space for others) keeping centrebacks guessing. To clarify, Rhodes, as well as being a prolific scorer (knowing when to poach in the six-yard box) which he always has been, is much more of a team player in contributing in attacking areas.

At Huddersfield, Rhodes is settled and appears comfortable in staying put. This statement however, will once again be put to the toughest of tests, as Premiership suitors continue to monitor the young talisman throughout the summer.

Elsewhere.

The lure of a move to England's Premier League could prove too tempting for Rhodes, who has proven himself in lower-league football over three consecutive years (20+ goals each season). At just 22 years of age, he has his best footballing years ahead of him - and as much of a risk it would be for a Premiership side to take in signing him, Rhodes undoubtedly has the rare knack of 'knowing where the goal is'.

If Rhodes is guaranteed first-team football in the Premiership, I think he would be foolish to turn down such an opportunity. With a footballing family (Dad the goalkeeping coach at Sheffield Wednesday), and an equally grounded team behind him - Rhodes will make the correct decision, whatever that turns out to be. One thing we can say, is that he would only move away from Huddersfield to a Premiership side. He has shown his loyalty to the club often enough to suggest he wouldn't move to a Championship rival, especially after seeing The Yorkshire club, promoted.

Rhodes has his feet firmly on the ground, and has been the first to deflect any praise that has comes his way - Often first to congratulate his team-mates and the team on the whole. That's the type of player, and young professional he is.

With this in mind, Rhodes knows himself that 40+ goal seasons don't come along every year - and if he were to 'flop' in the league above, would he get another chance of his big move...

Strong position, either way.

Dependent on the outcome, Huddersfield should benefit under both scenarios.

If Rhodes leaves the club during the summer window, Huddersfield will receive a significant transfer-fee for their star man. As proven in January, when many journalists and fans (outside of the club) didn't think Huddersfield could keep hold of him - In Dean Hoyle (Chairman), the club are in a strong financial position and will rebuff any offers that don't meet their valuation.

On the subject of Hoyle, there are reports suggesting that he plans on meeting with the striker over the coming week to discuss what we have in this blog. Don't for a minute think that Hoyle will stand in Rhodes' way of a move up the ladder. There has, and continues to be a great working relationship/mutual respect between player and Chairman alike.

As far as market-value is concerned, it is not easy to put a number on the head of Jordan Rhodes. His goalscoring record is superb, but has been achieved in the third-tier of English football. Jay Rodriguez recently moved to promoted Southampton, for £7M. This is a striker who had impressed at Burnley over the last 12 months (in the league above Rhodes), yet to many it represents a risk for such a fee. Rhodes himself, scored more goals last season than Rodriguez has in his professional career. Taking this, and other similar transfers into consideration (Connor Wickham from Ipswich to Sunderland for £8M+), I would imagine that Rhodes' value is something along those lines (£5-7M).

 

If Huddersfield were to sell for such a sum of money, it would enable them to strengthen in the required areas (not least trying to replace the irreplaceable) but other required positions also. The club would look towards building a really competitive and strong Championship outfit. You get the impression that Grayson is waiting to hear news on Rhodes' future before going ahead with any of his shortlisted transfer targets.

If Rhodes stays, The Terriers will have a player who many fans and pundits alike feel is 'the best in the football league'. Huddersfield would fancy their chances of making a real impression on The Championship next season, and you would expect current odds of between 25/1 and 33/1 to plummet (such is the ambition of Hoyle and Huddersfield as a club, ambitious signings would likely follow).

Oh, and the small matter of holding onto their main marksman...

Wherever Rhodes is playing his football next season, expect to see him on the scoresheet.

   


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