Wellens gave the striker high praise following the O’s recent victory over Cambridge United at home, saying: “Dan Agyei was unplayable today.
We were surprised they went with a back four as they normally probably play with a three, but we worked on getting him in one-on-one situations and he was the best player on the pitch by a long way.”
It’s reasonable to conclude that Orient’s attacking play is greatly enhanced when Agyei performs effectively.
On a season-long loan from Queens Park Rangers, striker Charlie Kelman presently has seven league goals, which is the same as his tally during his 2022–2023 loan stint with the O’s, but he still has 19 league games left
Agyei’s excellent play has also helped Ireland U21 international Ollie O’Neill, who has contributed a goal in three of the O’s last five league games, as has striker Sonny Perkins, who is on loan from Leeds United.
As a result, Orient’s attacking production has significantly increased in recent weeks; in December, the East London team scored 14 goals in six league games.
Regardless of where they finish in the standings, the O’s will want some consistency up front because Kelman and Perkins are both loan players and are unlikely to stay Leyton Orient players after the season.
Unfortunately for both Orient and Agyei, he went down and was forced off prematurely in the first half of the O’s 3-2 away win against Bristol Rovers. At the time of writing, the severity of the injury is unknown, though it did rule him out of action for the 1-0 win over Shrewsbury Town three days later.
Even if the injury is a minor one, however, Agyei’s injury record is something that cannot be ignored. He only managed 17 league games last season and although it doesn’t seem to have had any effect on his performances this season it could potentially put off potential suitors that would have otherwise been prepared to splash the cash on the 27-year-old.
Richie Wellens will want to keep the steady rise up the table going, with the O’s currently sat 8th in League One and four points outside the playoff places. Providing that Agyei’s injury isn’t too serious and he can keep up the form he displayed in the first half of the season, more eyeballs will be drawn to the striker.
As soon as Orient have the opportunity to do so they should aim to make as much effort to retain Agyei through to at least the end of the season, where they can then discuss a longer-term solution. While much bigger and possibly higher clubs will certainly have some form of interest in him, all the O’s can do is try and give him a suitable deal to reward him for his performances this season.
