Bielsa responds when asked if Bamford is a fitness concern for Leeds v Luton
Marcelo Bielsa is not concerned by Patrick Bamford’s fitness ahead of Leeds United versus Luton Town on Tuesday night.
Bamford, 26, scored in the first half of Leeds’ 3-0 win against Fulham on Saturday but was taken off at half-time to be replaced by Pablo Hernandez.
After the match, Bielsa was asked whether he is worried about Bamford’s fitness but it seems the striker is fine to play against Luton.
“No, the co-ordination does not depend on one player. Patrick made a big effort in the first half. But we didn’t press in the second half with the normal organisation. All the energy he put in the first half, he didn’t achieve to transport this in an efficient performance,” said Bielsa, as quoted by LeedsLive.
It was a very bold substitution by Bielsa. It is not every day you see a manager take off a goalscoring striker at half time to replace him with a midfielder, even though he’s not injured or unfit.
But that is exactly what Bielsa did and to the surprise of no one, the substitution made a massive difference as Hernandez’s introduction helped Leeds march on to a 3-0 win and three points that took them top of the league.
On Tuesday night, it will be a different kind of test against Luton, who are second from bottom and are fighting for their lives.
Bamford will no doubt want to prove to Bielsa that he should be left on the pitch for a lot more than 45 minutes by impressing in the first half of the upcoming fixture but we would not be shocked if Bielsa tries something similar if things are not going to plan.
In other Leeds United news, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink has slammed this Leeds player for his display against Fulham.