Huddersfield Town will return to League One next season for the first time since 2011/12. However, manager Michael Duff may have a surprise in store for a Spanish-born attacker.
The Terriers finished 23rd in the Championship in 2023/24, capping a five-year stint in the second division following relegation from the Premier League in 2019.
On their road back to League One, the team scored only 48 goals in 46 games, the fifth-lowest total in the division.
Last season, Huddersfield struggled to establish a consistent forward-line, with players such as Josh Koroma, Delano Burgzorg, Rhys Healey, and Bojan Radulović sharing responsibilities.
With Burgzorg’s move to Middlesbrough and Healey’s inconsistent performance, Michael Duff may rely on Radulović to lead his team to success in the third division.
Bojan Radulović had a slow start with Huddersfield Town.
When the 24-year-old Spain-born striker, who previously represented Serbia U19s, joined Huddersfield from HJK Helsinki in Finland in January, he arrived with a good reputation and was expected to deliver immediately.
The striker dominated the Veikkausliiga, hitting 26 goals in 47 games for HJK over two years, earning the 2023 Golden Boot. His form carried over to Europe, when he scored in the Champions League and Europa League Qualifying stages, as well as three goals in the UEFA Conference League.
Radulović, who signed a three-and-a-half-year contract in January, has struggled to score goals since his arrival in England.
He only scored once in 11 Championship games for Huddersfield, a far cry from the 18 he scored in his final complete season with Helsinki. However, a lack of minutes had a significant impact on his performance, since he only started four games.
Nonetheless, considering his previous club experience, his pedigree is strong, and he appears to have the potential to score goals if given the opportunity. The 6ft 3in striker has a point to prove next season, and with a new manager, he might thrive, since Michael Duff has a track record of getting the best out of his attackers.
2024-25 The League One season might be Bojan Radulovic’s making.
Radulovic, a former Brighton & Hove Albion player, is anticipated to make an immediate impact in League One after joining the Championship.
Another faltering start could result in him watching from the sidelines once more, a nightmarish scenario for both player and team.
Duff will be Radulović’s third manager in half a year, potentially impacting his consistency.
With Duff’s League One experience at Barnsley and Cheltenham Town, the 24-year-old has an excellent coach to help him get his career back on track. The former Burnley boss has developed a number of strikers in the past.
In recent seasons, players like as Alfie May and Devante Cole have been prolific goal scorers in the third division.
His prior skill is not completely lost, as his lone goal for Huddersfield demonstrates his actual talent. Radulovic scored an incredible goal against Stoke City in April to help his team get off to a good start, and he’ll be trying to replicate that in League One.
The Terriers have enough options to remove Radulović if he does not get up to speed. With wages and financial consequences always a significant part in League One, he may be shown the exit door.
On the contrary, a terrific year in blue and white might propel Huddersfield back to the Championship, with a hot-shot striker ready to compete on his return to the second tier.
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