‘Love-hate’ – Leeds attacker delivers honest verdict on Bielsa relationship
Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford has admitted that he has a “love-hate” relationship with Marcelo Bielsa after sealing promotion to the Premier League.
The South American has guided the Whites back to the top-flight after a 16-year absence, finishing the season 10 points ahead of West Brom.
Bamford has taken much criticism from fans at Elland Road this season but ended the season as Leeds’ top-scorer with 16 goals.
The 26-year-old opened up on his relationship with Bielsa, claiming that the whole squad owes everything to him for his work.
“With the manager, everyone says you don’t see that much of a personal side with him,” he told the official club website.
“It’s almost like a love-hate relationship because he pushes us so hard and I know as a group of lads we moan a lot. We know, deep down he is getting the best out of us, he has improved us all as players and you can see the transformation he has done with the team.
“It was just the pure determination and willingness for him to achieve this goal with us and now you can see him relax. He’s such a loveable guy and me and the whole team owe so much to him.”
Bamford has definitely improved massively since working under Bielsa. The former Boro man is one of the best forwards at pressing defences in the Championship and was a critical part of Leeds’ tactics.
The striker was dribbled past fewer than a single time per game according to WhoScored, and that is credit to Bamford that he isn’t only there to score the goals.
Leeds need another forward in the summer to add more competition in the final third, but it would be no surprise to see Bamford leading the line in the Premier League.
In other Leeds United news, Angus Kinnear has dedicated the Whites’ promotion to single backroom figure