Blackpool Set To Sign 225-Career Goal Striker

Blackpool is on the verge of signing experienced striker Jordan Rhodes on loan, according to Pete O’Rourke of Footy Insider.

The 33-year-old has spent the last two seasons with Huddersfield Town in the Championship and now looks to be dropping down a level with the Tangerines for the first time in 12 years.

With 586 appearances in English football and an impressive goal-scoring record of 225 career goals, Rhodes will be joining a team looking to replace standout performer Jerry Yates, who completed a move to Swansea City earlier in the transfer window.

Who Is Jordan Rhodes?

With a reputation for putting the ball in the back of the net, the Scotsman started his career bouncing around on loan between Football League clubs before finding a home with the Terriers. Getting regular playing time on his arrival in 2009, the striker scored 82 goals across all competitions in his three seasons with the club.

Continuing to progress with Blackburn, Middlesbrough, Sheffield Wednesday and Norwich City, Rhodes’s scoring tally has slowed down in recent years, but that doesn’t take away his climb to the Premier League with Boro in the 2016/17 season.

Does He Still Have What It Takes?

With how successful Rhodes has been in front of goal, he has had some impressive goal-scoring seasons, however, not many of them have come in recent campaigns. With the Ipswich product scoring most of his goals between the ages of 19 and 25, it’s been nine seasons since Rhodes scored double-digit goals in the league.

Undefeated

Blackpool has started their return to League One undefeated through the first four games, while also keeping clean sheets in all four matches. However, the problem has mostly been at the opposite side of the pitch, with just two goals scored over that span. Off the back of three straight 0-0 results, the Tangerines will be hoping Rhodes can get up to speed quickly in front of goal.

Writer’s View

Rhodes is certainly a big signing for a club that has lost their number nine, but I wouldn’t be too confident he can replace all of Yates’ goals. Being used predominantly off the bench for the last five years with Norwich, Wednesday and Huddersfield, Rhodes should add some experience and knowledge to the team, however, may not be the permanent fix to their goal-scoring problems.