'That's been the issue' - Nathan Jones shares verdict on dilemma facing Bielsa after Leeds signings

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01 Feb 2020, 5:30 am

Nathan Jones has claimed that Leeds United forward Patrick Bamford deserves to keep his spot in the side despite the arrival of Jean-Kevin Augustin this week.

Augustin signed for the Whites from RB Leipzig on Monday and was in the stands to watch his new strike partner score twice in a memorable 3-2 win over Millwall on Tuesday night.

The former Stoke and Luton boss, Jones compared Leeds to Tottenham and the fact they only use one striker, with both Bamford and Harry Kane preferred in their systems.

Jones shared his verdict on the problems facing Marcelo Bielsa, claiming that Bamford has earned the right to keep his spot.

"That's been the issue," he told the EFL podcast.

"Leeds, a little bit, you can compare them to Tottenham. It's very difficult for Tottenham to sign top-end frontmen because pretty much the way they play – one front man, Harry Kane is going to play every week.

"That's been the case with Leeds, obviously Bamford playing week in, week out, and deservedly so."

It is hard to compare the new Leeds duo this season, with Augustin struggling to get much of a chance during his previous loan spell at Monaco.

Bamford has worked his socks off for the team though, and although he has gone through some rough patches in front of goal he has certainly deserved to keep his spot at Elland Road.

If the 26-year-old wasn't getting into frequent dangerous areas, we would be much more concerned. In fact, he is averaging 3.6 shots on goal per game [WhoScored]. Yes, his efficiency could be much higher, but should the goals start to flow, he could easily smash the 20-goal barrier this season.

However, the signing of Augustin presents a very different problem – he won't have come to sit on the bench and could potentially be at a different level to Bamford.

Bielsa did admit that he could play the pair together during his press conference on Friday, so the South American certainly has a number of ideas to solve this potential dilemma.

As always, in El Loco we trust.

In other Leeds United news, this French football expert has commented on what Whites should expect from JKA after recent arrival

Leeds United

Nathan Jones