Morgan Whittaker transfer concern at Plymouth Argyle doesn't feel as strong | OneFootball

The attacker has had a steady start to the 2024/25 campaign after an amazing return to the Championship last time out.

Plymouth Argyle have slowly found improvements under Wayne Rooney after a dismal start to the campaign, and after picking up their second away point of the season against Derby County, there is some excitement down in Devon right now.

While it was not the greatest of opening weekends for the Pilgirms by any stretch of the imagination, their form at Home Park has seen them enter the third international break of 2024/25 outside the relegation zone in 18th place.

Up until Saturday's clash with the Rams at Pride Park, Argyle had found the back of the net just once on their travels, with Morgan Whittaker picking up what had been their sole goal on the road.

It is just one of three strikes that he has to his name this season, a far cry from his total in 2023/24, but with the January window coming up, that may be one of the best situations for Plymouth at this moment in time.

Whittaker seems unlikely to be targeted in January

This time last year it seemed as though the 23-year-old was going to be extremely difficult to keep hold of, and he did have clubs show interest in him.

Argyle rejected a bid for the forward from Italian club Lazio in January 2024, after he scored 12 goals before the turn of the year.

While his goal output did start to slow in the months after, it was imperative that Plymouth kept hold of their talented star in the summer. It was reported by the Daily Record in July that the Championship side rejected a £7m bid from Scottish giants Rangers for Whittaker, and while it might have been expected that clubs would come in once again in January, right now it seems unlikely.

His form has stagnated, and he has not been the threat in front of goal that he was last season. Rooney has struggled to find the same levels from the Derby-born man, and he has not been the game-changer that he has been in the past.

The transfer concern that they had 10 months ago does not look like it is going to be repeated at this point, with the attacker going through one of his toughest patches since moving to Home Park in 2022.

Whittaker's form in front of goal must improve

Although everyone knows the quality that Whittaker does have, he must start to prove it once again soon in a bid to help Plymouth fight against relegation.

He struggled against his former side Derby to make an impression on the game, and Craig Forsyth eliminated any potential threat that he had on the right-wing throughout the entire 90 minutes.

It has been a frustrating season for the ex-Swansea City player, but it has not been for a lack of trying. The winger has had 46 shots so far in the Championship, however, the majority of these are coming from distance, and he must work out a way to get closer to goal before striking the ball.

His xG of 1.41 shows that his chances so far this campaign have not been of great quality, and often they seem to be speculative efforts.

Whittaker has the ability to turn his form around, but he must do this quickly if he wants to prove to other clubs that he has what it takes to play in a higher division.