Scout Report: Looking at potential striker options for the LA Galaxy in 2024
What names could LA go after to elevate their striker room ahead of an important 2024 season
Transfer rumor season is upon us soon and the LA Galaxy looks set to be active on the market for a striker. The departure of Designated Player Javier “Chicharito” Hernadez and veteran Billy Sharp has LA’s striker depth very shallow heading into 2024.
Dejan Joveljic had a poor 2023 campaign as LA’s starting nine and Preston Judd isn’t at the level to be a reliable starter every week for the five-time MLS Cup champions.
The Galaxy is a team that historically isn’t afraid to spend big in the attack. After a horrendous campaign in 2023, the pressure is on for LA to get it right in Greg Vanney’s fourth year at the helm of the SoCal club.
There are a lot of strikers across the globe but these are the players that caught my eye and would elevate the ceiling of the Galaxy. If the Galaxy wants to establish itself as a contender for MLS Cup, a productive striker is essential.
Mehdi Taremi, Porto
When talking about a proven and reliable goal scorer, Taremi is more than qualified to be labeled as one. The Iranian international has scored 60 goals in 93 league games for FC Porto in Portugal’s first division.
He’s a complete forward who can score in a variety of different ways and is very comfortable on the ball. Take a look at his FBref chart from the 22-23 Primeira Liga campaign, he’s in the top percentiles in multiple categories. Taremi finished the season with 22 goals and seven assists in 33 appearances.
At 31 years old, the Galaxy can make Taremi a player for now and the future of the club. His contract ends in June 2024 but the Galaxy will have competition for the Iranian. According to reports, teams in Italy are eyeing getting Taremi on a free transfer this winter.
If the LA Galaxy wants to pursue Taremi, they would have to offer a transfer fee to Porto during the winter to get him before the start of the season or lure him with a massive contract to acquire him on a free transfer in the summer window.
The Iranian would be among the best strikers in MLS immediately. It will be hard to get him considering teams in Europe are interested - the Galaxy must make an offer he can’t refuse.
John Kennedy, Fluminense
If the Galaxy wants to make a statement with a transfer signing, acquiring the 21-year-old Kennedy will do that. He scored the game-winning goal for Fluminense in the Copa Libertadores final and is one of the top prospects in Brazil.
Kennedy would qualify as a Young Designated Player and allow the Galaxy to keep all three of their U22 indicative roster spots under the current roster rules.
He’s a prospect with lots of potential and his underlying numbers show he’s capable of breaking out in a huge way. His Fbref chart shows Kennedy gets shots off but needs to work on getting in better positions as his average shot distance is from 16 yards out.
Douglas Costa brought the Brazilian flair on the pitch last season, he possessed the ability to take-on players and wasn’t afraid to dribble at defenders. Every team needs a player with the confidence and ability to create great individual moments - it’s why DP’s are so valuable in MLS.
Kennedy has shown that skill this season in Brazil and he would adapt well to Vanney’s possession style of play. Fluminense plays a pure possession-based game where technical ability on the ball is key. Calegari played in this system and he had no problems fitting in tactically with the Galaxy.
One stat that pops out is the 5.71 tocuhes in the penalty boxes per 90 (Based on 2023 Brasileiro Série A). You can see he’s confident in his individual skills by how many take-ons he attempts and successfully executes. While he does have a high tally of miscontrols, it’s a part of his game that can evolve.
The Galaxy can develop Kennedy into one of the top strikers in the league and continue the trend of MLS exporting players to Europe. He’ll be a major investment that could bear lots of good fruit.
Danny Ings, West Ham
The Galaxy can get an English striker back in their locker room if they choose to go with Premier League Veteran Danny Ings. LA can get a player who’s shown the ability to score goals in the toughest league in the world.
The last time Ings played a full season as a starter, he recorded seven goals and six assists during the 2021-22 season with Aston Villa. Since joining West Ham a year ago, he’s made almost all his appearances off the bench.
I can see Ings succeeding in MLS and being a reliable scorer in LA. He’s a poacher in the box and also capable of scoring some incredible goals. Getting him back in a starting role with the Galaxy could reignite his career and get him back to his goalscoring ways. He has that goal-scoring instinct when given the chance to play for the entirety of his career so far. Like Chicharito, the Englishman tends to be at the right place at the right time.
This would be a riskier move compared to the other two players previously mentioned as Ings is 31 years old and he’s not been a starter for some time. Ings is yet to score in nine appearances this season and has four goal contributions in 912 minutes for West Ham.
Louring him away from England could be hard but might consider the opportunity to get paid and be the undisputed starter in the City of Angels. He would be an intriguing option and the most like-for-like replacement for Chicharito playstyle-wise.
Sébastien Haller, Borussia Dortmund
Another striker with a goalscoring resume in multiple leagues is Sébastien Haller. The Ivorian has had multiple seasons with over 10 goals in the German and Dutch leagues in his career.
Haller was diagnosed with testicular cancer last year and returned to the pitch halfway through the European season. He registered nine goals and three assists in 19 appearances for Dortmund. Haller currently finds himself struggling to get playing time at Dortmund despite being healthy and available.
His last season as a full-time starter was in 2021-22 with Ajax. He recorded 21 goals and seven assists in 31 games in the Dutch league. Take a look at his stats from that campaign in this chart.
Haller averaged 8.9 touches in the penalty box that season and won 4 aerial duels on a per 90 minutes basis. The Ivorian is a threat in the box and relies on services to get the most out of him. His finishing level is top class and he’d handle the physical nature of MLS.
His passing metrics on the chart show he’s capable of getting on the ball and being efficient with his passes. In Vanney’s system, strikers tend to be active and participate in the build-up.
The promise of playtime and being one of the highest-paid players in the league would be enticing and something he’ll consider. At 29 years old, he’s worth a large investment and can lead LA’s frontline for years to come.