“We can’t talk about Szmodics" - Pundit makes Yuki Ohashi claim amid stunning Blackburn Rovers form | OneFootball

Carlton Palmer has given his verdict on whether Yuki Ohashi is the Sammie Szmodics replacement Blackburn Rovers need

Carlton Palmer has claimed that it is still too soon to suggest that Yuki Ohashi can replace Sammie Szmodics’ goals for Blackburn Rovers.

The Lancashire outfit have made a positive start to the new campaign, and sit third in the table after the opening five games.

John Eustace’s side won 3-0 over Bristol City last weekend, with Ohashi bagging a second half brace to seal all three points.

The forward now has four league goals from five appearances, having joined the club from Sanfrecce during the summer (all stats from Fbref).

The 28-year-old is the team’s top scorer, with Rovers having bagged 12 in total from their first five fixtures.

Carlton Palmer makes Yuki Ohashi claim

Palmer has expressed his delight at seeing his former teammate Eustace excel as Blackburn manager.

However, he believes it is still too soon to suggest Ohashi is the replacement for Szmodics that they needed, although the early signs are very encouraging.

“So pleased for my old teammate John Eustace, absolutely fantastic bloke,” Palmer told Football League World.

“Blackburn sit third in the league, they’re only two points off West Brom and they’ve had an absolutely fantastic start to the season.

“Unfortunately for John, when you have a great start like this expectations rise.

“What a signing this could turn out to be. Yuki Ohashi, has come in and has scored five goals to date.

“We’ll have to see how good he will be.

“We can’t talk about Szmodics, whether he’s good enough to replace Szmodics or whatever because Szmodics scored 27 goals last season for Blackburn, which is an unbelievable tally in this league.

“But the 28-year-old has gotten off to a fantastic start, and you never know what happens when you get off to that perfect start.

“He has scored goals in the J-League, and he had a prolific 2023 campaign, scoring 13 goals in 23 league games.

“So, it’s going to be interesting to see how well he can do and adapt because it’s early in the season, winter hasn’t kicked in.

“Blackburn will be hoping that they can keep this goal-scoring form, and that they can keep on the run that they’re doing.

“Because they’re not playing poor sides, they’re playing sides of real quality, and they are coming out with victories and playing a brand of football and scoring goals.

“It’s great to see.

“They’re up there for 12 goals, and only conceded six goals, so they’re goal difference is plus six, so it’s a fantastic start for John Eustace.”

Blackburn Rovers league position

The 3-0 win over Bristol City last weekend moved Rovers to within two points of the top of the table.

Rovers finished 19th in the Championship last year, but a positive start to this season has supporters hoping for a push for a top six position.

Ohashi’s strong start to the campaign has been one of many positives surrounding the team in the aftermath of losing such an important player in Szmodics.

Up next for Eustace’s side is a Lancashire derby against Preston North End on 22 September.

Ohashi showing great potential for Blackburn

Ohashi has done a great job in immediately adapting to life in the Championship after moving from Japan in the summer.

The 28-year-old has slotted in well, and his early goal-scoring form is really encouraging.

If he can keep this up, then he could prove one of the best signings of the summer.

It is a credit to the scouts and other recruitment staff working at Rovers that they were able to secure this signing, as his arrival as a Szmodics replacement certainly came out of left-field.