Patrick Bamford ‘delighted’ to be involved in Leeds United selection debate – Journalist
Patrick Bamford will be delighted to be involved in a Leeds United selection debate, according to journalist Graham Smyth.
The 30-year-old has yet to feature for the Whites this season as he continues to be sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Leeds manager Daniel Farke has the likes of Bamford, Georginio Rutter, Joel Piroe, Mateo Joseph and Joe Gelhardt to call upon in that role.
“In the injury-riddled context of Bamford’s more recent history, he might well be delighted to find himself at the centre of another selection debate and, as luck would have it, there is one to be had,” Smyth wrote for the Yorkshire Evening post.
“Up top it’s not going to be a case of Bamford versus another but more a case of whether Bamford should play there ahead of Piroe or Rutter.
“Writing off the Englishman would be folly, when his ability, hold-up play and link-up skill is factored in, and the prospect of him playing just ahead of Piroe is one well worth exploring. Fitness, of course, will dictate first before Bamford can stoke the debate with whatever he does with the ball.”
Difficult time
Bamford has had a difficult few years at Elland Road, with injuries really hampering his time on the pitch over the last couple of seasons.
But when free from injury, the striker has proven on many occasions that he knows how to find the back of the net, with the 30-year-old on 51 goals from his 151 Leeds appearances.
Unfortunately for Farke, the injury issues have been far too consistent, forcing the manager to turn to other attackers this season.
And that hasn’t quite worked out for the German, with his club winning just one of their five Championship matches so far. The West Yorkshire club have drawn three times and lost once, leaving them sitting 15th in the table with six points.
Hopefully Bamford has had time to continue his recovery from his latest issue over the international break, with his manager undoubtedly needing him back as soon as possible.
In other Leeds United news, a journalist has suggested that a Whites loanee is finished at Elland Road after what he’s seen in the international break.