New Patrick Bamford position could be ideal for Daniel Farke plans at Leeds United
Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford could slot straight into Daniel Farke’s team upon his return from injury, as he would fit perfectly in the experimental number ten role the boss has tried so far.
Farke has been playing his strikers in a slightly different role so far this season, with one looking to break forward and get in behind, while one is deployed as a number ten, dropping into midfield to link play before making late runs into the opposition box.
Both Georginio Rutter and Joel Piroe have been deployed in this experimental role so far this season to varying degrees of success, but Bamford may be just the man for the job.
While Bamford has usually been deployed as a typical number nine, his technical ability and preference to link play with a strike partner could make him the ideal man for the deeper role, with either Piroe or Rutter playing ahead of him.
When Piroe was deployed as the deeper player against Sheffield Wednesday, Farke defended his decision, saying: “Joel can also play up front, but we need players from midfield to score and he likes to come from a deeper position. Needed a pacy striker in behind like Rutter to push them back.” [Leeds Live, 2 September]
Bamford has a tremendous goalscoring record in the Championship, having bagged 16 goals and four assists the last time Leeds earned promotion from the second division and could provide the additional goals Farke is looking for.
If he can stay consistently fit, he should be given the chance to prove himself and impress his new boss in that deeper role. It could be a beneficial call to make, with Bamford reigniting his stalling Leeds career in a new position.
The striker has struggled with his fitness throughout his career and has missed the opening stages of the season through injury after he injured his hamstring in the pre-season clash with Hearts but is expected to return after the September international break.
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