Blackburn boss makes Szmodics claim ahead of summer interest.
John Eustace has insisted it will cost a lot of money for anyone to sign Sam Szmodics from Blackburn Rovers this summer.
The Championship’s top goal-scorer is likely to be the talk of the rumour mill washhouse after netting 33 goals for Rovers in all competitions. Szmodics signed a new contract with the club in November, which ties him until 2026 with the option of a further year.
Without Szmodics’ goals, Rovers would have been in deep trouble. He netted 45 per cent of their Championship output, including 10 of their last 13 goals during the run-in.
Join millions of traders around the world who trade global markets with the #1 broker
Join millions of traders around the world who trade global markets with the #1 broker
Trade with Confidence – FxPro, a Trusted Broker Since 2002 and winner 105 industry awards
Rovers have struggled to get other players to step up to the plate. Injuries to the likes of Ryan Hedges, Tyrhys Dolan and Sam Gallagher haven’t helped but, equally, nobody else has stepped up.
READ MORE: Rovers’ retained list and big transfer decisions looming
Eustace has challenged others to provide more for the team and also insisted Szmodics won’t be leaving for cheap.
“He’s the only one who has stood up and managed to be clinical enough,” Eustace told The Lancashire Telegraph.
“The rest of the squad haven’t been clinical enough but the work rate and effort has been there to see.
“Gally’s work rate off the ball is sensational, it’s very important from set-pieces too. Ty (Dolan) runs his socks off. The impact of the subs as well coming on.
“It’s about the squad but it will cost a hell of a lot of money for Sammie to go, of course it will.”
Szmodics’ two goals at The King Power Stadium were typical of the Rovers forward. The first, a driving run with a mix of perseverance and quality to scamper away and finish.
The second was an opportunistic effort, hanging behind the defence, in his own half, to race through and round the goalkeeper.
