Patrick Bamford expected to stay at Leeds United despite injury concerns
Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford is set to remain at the club for the upcoming season as the club fight for promotion from the Championship, despite concerns over his injury record, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post.
Graham Smyth reported on 24 July, that Bamford will remain at the club past the transfer deadline, along with Georginio Rutter and Mateo Joseph, despite concerns over the Englishman.
Bamford made 28 appearances in the Premier League last season, although he averaged just 54 minutes per game. In the 2021/22 season, however, the striker made just nine Premier League appearances as he was plagued by injuries.
Bamford needs to prove himself
In the Yorkshire Evening Post article, it is also shared that a front line including Bamford and Rutter could be successful in the Championship – but could also go very wrong. Rutter’s lack of experience combined with Bamford’s patchy goal and injury record could cause Leeds issues.
Bamford has managed just six Premier League goals across the last two seasons – nowhere near good enough for a club that was competing to survive in the division.
His 17 goals from the 2020/21 season seemed to be a one-off, with the empty stadiums due to Covid-19 likely to have had an effect. Bamford always seemed more calm and composed without the crowds, but struggled in the intense atmospheres of Premier League football.
He will need to step up this season and match the total of 20 goal contributions he managed for Leeds last time they were in the Championship if he wants to fire the club to another promotion this season.
In other Leeds United news, a possible Newcastle move for a Leeds man has been hit by red tape.