LA Galaxy sign Striker Billy Sharp: What to know.
The 37-year-old is the latest striker to join the Galaxy, Why this move makes sense.
The Galaxy has signed free agent striker Billy Sharp through the end of the 2023 MLS season with a club option for 2024. The 37-year-old captained Sheffield United and is one best goalscorers in the lower divisions of English soccer.
“Billy is an accomplished striker who brings experience, leadership and proven goal-scoring pedigree,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach and Sporting Director Greg Vanney via press release. “We are pleased to add a player of Billy’s caliber to the team for the stretch run of the season.
Sharp is a proven goalscorer in the lower division of English soccer. He’s scored 266 goals and notched 75 assists in just over 690 appearances across 19 seasons played in the English football league system. Sharp’s been the top scorer in League One (3rd division) on three separate occasions and two-time player of the year.
In 377 games for the Blades, he recorded 129 goals and 44 assists. Last season, he played 38 games in the championship and made 14 starts. He’s a cherished figure among Blades fans for his decade of service for the club. Interestingly, Sharp holds the record for the most goals scored in the English Football League Championship with 130 goals scored in 399 appearances in the Championship.
Why this makes sense
The Galaxy needs a productive striker immediately. Neither Preston Judd nor Dejan Joveljic have cemented themselves as the starter with the pair combining for 5 goals in 1,703 minutes of MLS play.
Sharp may not have played much in the Premier League during his career but his knack for scoring in the lower divisions can’t be ignored. The Galaxy needs a spark of form from the number 9 position more than ever during this push for the MLS Cup playoffs. The addition of the Englishman is a low-risk move that could end up being a game-changer.
While I was watching a compilation of Sharp’s goal for Sheffield United, his playstyle reminded me a lot of Chicharito. He’s a poacher with a sixth sense of where to be at the right time. All he needs is to get the ball in the box and he’ll have the finish to beat the goalkeeper. The Galaxy is third in the league for chances created with 252 according to fbref.com. The club is still among the worst when it comes to G-xG with a disappointing result of -6.1 - third worst in the Western Conference.
With Gaston Brugman out for the rest of the season, Sharp could likely be the primary penalty-taker. He has converted 32 out of 42 attempts during his career. The Galaxy’s struggles from the penalty spot have been well-documented in the past year and a half.
It also helps that the Galaxy isn’t tied to Sharp long-term. While his contract does have an option for the 2024 season, this gives the club flexibility to still make their desired transfers.
Sharp’s presence provides a veteran leader who’s played in tough environments and experienced how rough the lower division of English soccer is. He’s also not a stranger to making the playoffs and fighting to climb up the table. His addition to the club now makes five players the Galaxy acquired in August in hopes of making the MLS Cup playoffs.