Phil Hay: Patrick Bamford will start immediately upon Leeds return
Phil Hay has suggested that Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford will start immediately upon his return from injury.
The England international missed games against West Ham and Watford after picking up an ankle injury at Newcastle last month.
Hay has shared that Marcelo Bielsa loves the striker, and will start him if he is ready against Southampton after the international break.
Responding to a comment on his latest article for the Athletic, Hay made a big selection claim after the international break.
“To me, it made sense to get Dallas and Klich into the midfield while the results weren’t coming,” he said.
“It gives a bit of strength and stability and it plays the percentages slightly. It’s a steadier formation and Rodrigo at 9 is much more free to think like an attacker.
“When Bamford returns? Something tells me he’ll be back into the starting line-up. Bielsa loves him.”
No brainer.
Rodrigo got the chance he has been waiting for as a number nine at Elland Road, and it didn’t work out too well in the end.
Despite pressing well and looking to hold up the ball consistently, the Spaniard failed to make chances count and find the back of the net.
That is what Bamford does, he creates chances for himself and usually puts them away, something he will be desperate to do in two weeks time.
Leeds went into this break with the perfect outcome after getting three points against Watford, and now it can be used to get our squad back to full fitness.
Jack Harrison, Robin Koch, Luke Ayling and Bamford will all be pushing for fitness, but it looks as though the two attackers are more likely to return than the defenders.
No one would argue with Bamford starting, in fact, they would urge that.
In other Leeds United news, Graham Smyth shares if Kalvin Phillips will miss PL games after England injury withdrawal