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United star deserves Premiership shot – Sanchez
Exclusive Richard Sutcliffe LAWRIE SANCHEZ has admitted to being shocked that David Healy's goalscoring exploits for Northern Ireland have not led to a host of top European clubs chasing the Leeds United striker.
The 27-year-old's winning goal against Latvia in Belfast on Wednesday night took his international tally to an impressive 24 in just 54 appearances.
It is a record that stands comparison with most of the Home Nations' modern day greats with a scoring ratio of a goal every 2.25 games being substantially bettered by only England's Gary Lineker and Denis Law of Scotland.
Despite that, Healy is rarely linked with a move away from Elland Road although several Spanish clubs are understood to be interested following his amazing hat-trick against Luis Aragones's side in Belfast last month.
Northern Ireland manager Sanchez last night told the Yorkshire Post: "David needs to be playing at the highest level as I have no doubts he would be a success. Hopefully, he can get into the Premiership with Leeds United and if not this year then next.
"But I am shocked that a Premiership club have not come in for him yet.
"If he was a foreign striker with a record like his, there would be a host of clubs chasing him from all over Europe.
"David has proved over and over again that he has what it takes to score at the highest level. The hat-trick against Spain was superb with the third goal showing exactly what David is all about.
"It came against one of the top 10 defences in the world. David deserves the platform of playing at the highest level."
Healy joined Leeds almost two years ago from Preston North End but has spent much of his time playing out of position on the right or left flank in a 4-5-1 formation.
The striker refused to complain publicly about his plight but there was little doubt much of his attacking threat was negated by not playing through the middle.
Since John Carver took temporary charge, however, he has pledged to play Healy up front in a 4-4-2 formation designed to suit his considerable talent.
Sanchez said: "Any international manager wants his players to be happy and doing well for their clubs so it has to be good news for David, good news for Northern Ireland and I would expect it will be good news for Leeds.
"David spent a lot of time on the bench under Kevin Blackwell and that did surprise me. He still managed to finish as Leeds's top scorer last season (with 14 goals).
"Since we took over (Northern Ireland) two-and-a-half years ago, we set the team up to create chances for David.
"If we do that, he usually takes them.
"We play with a big man alongside David to provide the knock-downs and it has worked very well. The great thing about David is he creates chances too. Along with the goals he has scored for me he has set up at least four or five for other people."
Sanchez's reign in charge of Northern Ireland amounts to 28 games and despite Healy having missed four of those through either suspension or injury, the Leeds striker has still managed to net 16 times.
He said: "That is a phenomenal record by anyone's standards. I am pleased for David because he is a decent lad.
"He carries no airs and graces, is down to earth and a very good professional. David has proven himself by scoring against the big countries such as Germany, Spain and England, as well as against Latvia.
"When you consider that there was a spell of 14 games before I took over in which Northern Ireland failed to score at all, it makes his recent record even better," he added.
"Throughout that run, David never once failed to make himself available despite playing in a system that did not suit him (4-5-1). He was not getting any chances and yet his professionalism meant he came back every time and gave everything.
"That is why his team-mates are so pleased for David because they know he is a team player."
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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