TalkSPORT pundit urges Leeds United to buy new striker in January, too reliant on one-season wonder Patrick Bamford

Patrick Bamford has struggled to perform for Leeds United and Danny Mills believes survival could hinge on buying a new forward in January.

Bamford is yet to score in the Premier League this season, and Leeds fans have grown frustrated with his lack of composure in front of goal.

Jesse Marsch has continued to keep faith in the out-of-form 29-year-old, but Mills believes Leeds urgently need to bring in a new striker in January.

"Leeds have maybe got to look for strength in that position. January is never a good time to buy, but if you want to survive in the Premier League then it's a position they may have to look at," Mills told OLBG, as quoted by the Yorkshire Post.

"I think if you were to ask most Leeds fans and people who have watched Bamford for the majority of his career there, they would say it's a similar season before his wonder season.

"He's had one season in the Premier League where he was outstanding, everything he seemed to hit went into the back of the net.

“It was a phenomenal season, but he didn't really do it before that, and he hasn't done it since. You do have to question whether it was a bit of a one off.”

Reinforcements required

Bamford has proved time and time again this season that he can't be relied upon as a regular goalscorer.

As pointed out by talkSPORT pundit Mills, Bamford's 17-goal season in 2020/21 is an anomaly in his record, and Leeds can't trust him to replicate it anytime soon.

Rodrigo has chipped in with a handful of goals this season but the Whites are desperately crying out for a natural goalscorer to come in over January.

It was top of Marsch's wish list in the summer, but the board let him down with collapsed deals for Cody Gakpo and Bamba Dieng, resulting in 18-year-old Wilfried Gnonto coming in instead.

But Marsch's Christmas list will still include a striker, and this time the club needs to deliver or face a real threat of relegation.

Bamford still has his spot in the squad, but it can't be as Leeds' first-choice striker anymore.

In other Leeds United news, the Whites are in a transfer race to sign Salernitana striker Boulaye Dia