Plymouth Argyle's ideal Morgan Whittaker replacement is contracted to Leeds United | OneFootball

Sam Greenwood could be a like-for-like Morgan Whittaker replacement for Plymouth Argyle, as per FBRef statistics

After winning the League One title in 2023, Plymouth Argyle avoided relegation back to the third tier last term, beating the drop by just one point.

Now in the Championship for a second successive season, survival is the aim once more for the Pilgrims, who appointed Wayne Rooney ahead of the current campaign.

Rooney's appointment was met with many doubts, given the major role he played in Birmingham City's relegation to League One last term, as he took charge of the Blues for 15 games last season, and suffered nine defeats before being sacked.

More questions surrounding the Liverpudlian's ability to keep the Pilgrims in the Championship arose when his side suffered an opening day 4-0 hammering at Sheffield Wednesday.

But impressive September victories over league leaders Sunderland and Luton Town soon followed, and created a feeling that Argyle may be able to beat the drop yet again, which has recently been reinforced by the fact that Rooney's men went unbeaten in three of their last four games prior to the November international break, including a 1-0 victory over Portsmouth.

A key figure in the Pilgrims' fight for survival is attacking midfielder Morgan Whittaker, who has scored three goals in 14 league appearances this season, while he produced a stunning return of 19 goals and eight assists in 46 Championship outings for the then newly-promoted side last term.

But his exploits at Home Park have not gone unnoticed, as Serie A side Lazio bid for his services last January, but he remained at his current club.

However, as we approach the January transfer window once more, we are likely to see yet more interest in a talented 23-year-old who has proven his worth at Championship level.

Sam Greenwood would be perfect like-for-like Whittaker replacement

Should Whittaker leave the Pilgrims either in January or next, summer, Leeds United man Sam Greenwood, currently on loan at Preston North End, would be a like-for-like replacement.

FBRef shows that Greenwood boasts the most similar statistics to the Argyle star man, as not only have both players scored three Championship goals this season, they also boast a similar number of expected goals, as the Preston man has yielded an xG of 2.4, compared to Whittaker's 1.7.

The duo have also produced a very similar percentage of shots on target, with the Preston man directing 35.3% of his shots on target, compared to the Argyle star's 30.4%.

Argyle will be unlikely to sign Greenwood

While statistics show that the 22-year-old, currently under contract with Leeds, would be an ideal theoretical replacement for Whittaker, in the event that he leaves Argyle, Preston have the option to buy Greenwood at the end of his current Deepdale loan spell.

This is a non-ideal scenario for the Pilgrims, who will eventually need to seek a Whittaker replacement amid high-profile interest.

As well as Lazio, Scottish Premiership giants Rangers have also held a transfer interest in the 23-year-old's services, as per the Daily Record.

While Greenwood could plug the gap left by Whittaker upon his Argyle exit, it is highly likely that North End will exercise their option to buy the ace following his loan spell in Lancashire amid his current form.

The former Boro man has three goals and one assist in his last six Championship games for Paul Heckingbottom's men, so the Lancashire outfit will be keen on retaining his services on a long-term basis.