Huddersfield Town centre-forward Jordan Rhodes has spent the entire campaign out on loan at League One outfit Blackpool and could make a permanent move to Bloomfield Road in the summer.
Rhodes made one appearance for the Terriers this term which came in a narrow 3-2 defeat to Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup earlier in the campaign. However, the former Blackburn Rovers frontman completed a loan switch to the Seasiders in the final week of the summer transfer window as then-manager Neil Warnock didn’t see a place in the side for the 34-year-old.
Coincidentally, the experienced striker has had an excellent season whilst at Blackpool, scoring 15 goals in League One for Neil Critchley’s side and recording three assists. Only four players have managed more goal contributions in England’s third tier in 2023/24.
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The decision from Huddersfield to let Rhodes leave on loan at the start of the season has been made even worse as the club’s top goalscorer this campaign is centre-back Michal Helik. Furthermore, the Terriers have struggled in front of goal this term and boast the sixth-worst attacking record in the Championship.
Huddersfield Town had the option to recall Rhodes from his loan stint at Bloomfield Road back in January but the club refused to do so. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, the EFL Cup appearance against Boro back in August may have been the last time he ever played for the Yorkshire outfit.
Yet another goal for Jordan Rhodes, but let's talk about that assist from Jimmy Husband… 🤕😲
🍊 #UTMP pic.twitter.com/Sb6XyCnvB5
— Blackpool FC (@BlackpoolFC) October 21, 2023
Speaking in his pre-match press conference at the weekend, Blackpool head coach Critchley stated that “if there [is] an opportunity” to sign Rhodes permanently in the summer, then he will look to do so, whilst admitting that other clubs will likely be in the running for his signature [quotes via The Gazzette]:
“The way he has played and the contribution he’s made, you’re always interested in those types of players,” Critchley said.
“Jordan is a free agent, and his name speaks for itself, so it’s not like he’s an unproven player who’s under the radar, I’m sure other people will be looking at him as well.
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“I can only speak for what I’ve seen from him in terms of what he feels about the place. He’s really enjoyed being here. In previous seasons he’s not started as many games, so he’s enjoyed being back out on the pitch and being a focal point,” he continued.
He’s a really important member of the starting line-up, which is something he’s not felt for a few years. In some ways, we’ve given a love of the game back to him, and I know he’s appreciated that. We’ve loved having him, it’s been a two-way thing.
“If there was an opportunity (to bring him back) we could pursue in the future and it was something Jordan wanted to do then it’s something we would look at.”
Writer’s View
Rhodes currently has a market value of £230,000, as per Transfermarkt and so Huddersfield Town won’t be losing too much in transfer compensation if and when Rhodes leaves the club for nothing in just a few weeks.
However, the veteran knows where the goal is which is something that the Terriers have massively lacked this term, hence why they are inside the relegation zone. Especially if they get relegated, having Rhodes around in League One wouldn’t be the worst decision.
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