Bielsa confirms striker next in line at Leeds after Bamford – and it’s not Rodrigo
Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford has had the trust of Marcelo Bielsa through the Championship-winning run and in the Premier League.
Some Leeds fans thought record-signing Rodrigo – who plays number nine for Spain – would usurp him, but Bamford has started every game up-front so far and scored three goals in five games.
Rodrigo has started in the number 10 spot and he’s grown into that role, especially in the second half against Man City.
And it looks like that’s where he’s set to play for the rest of the season.
Talking in his pre-match press conference, Bielsa was asked why Leeds had such a small squad.
He said, “The squad is not small because we have two players per position and there are not big differences between the two players who occupy each position.
“Just to make a reference, for example, we have Bamford and Roberts up front, Rodrigo and Pablo in attacking midfield. Poveda and Costa, Raphinha and Harrison [on the wings].”
Rodrigo the number 10 for Leeds
This comes as a bit of a surprise.
Rodrigo was seen as the striker signing Leeds had been waiting for by a lot of fans.
Bamford struggled at times in the Championship but in Bielsa, he’s found a manager who absolutely loves what he provides in addition to goals.
Tyler Roberts hasn’t looked good when he’s come on this season but he’s still young.
At 21, he’s also suffered from a lot of injuries, and we’re hoping he grows into the side this season.
MOT Leeds News columnist Paul Robinson was calling for Leeds to sign a 20+ goal-a-season striker over the summer and talked about Aleksandar Mitrovic as one he’d love to see at Elland Road.
However, the Bielsa system is different and we actually love the idea of Rodrigo getting the free role in the centre.
He’s a versatile attacker and he’s never been an out-and-out goal-scorer.
For Bamford, this is another vote of confidence from the manager.
In other Leeds United news, ‘Info is incorrect’: Bielsa confirms who will replace Phillips v Villa, says 6-week injury wrong