When it comes to Marcelo Bielsa’s system, the Argentine tactician requires his team to press from the front.
Patrick Bamford has taken to the role perfectly since Bielsa took over at Leeds United and the Whites will be given a massive boost on the striker’s return from injury.
Bamford Void Hard to Fill
After injuring his ankle in a 1-1 draw on the road at Newcastle United in mid-September, Leeds have been forced to cope without their main attacking threat. The Whites, who are 11/4 in the
football betting odds to finish in the top half of the Premier League this season, have missed the England international’s finishing. But it’s not just the goals that Bamford provides, as his work rate when Leeds don’t have the ball was a key reason they enjoyed an impressive first season back in the top flight after a 16-year absence.
Bielsa has selected Bamford whenever available for the way he starts Leeds’ press, as well as his goals. When the 28-year-old puts pressure on the centre-backs, if the ball goes wide, the likes of wingers Jack Harrison, Raphinha and Daniel James will then close in. If the ball goes central, Mateusz Klich and Kalvin Phillips will be the ones to close down space. Leeds are focused on getting the ball back as soon as possible, and have a better chance of creating opportunities the higher they win the ball up the field. Bamford has been the starting point of this process for Leeds, which helped the West Yorkshire outfit finish ninth in the Premier League last ter
Goals an Issue for Leeds
With just eight goals scored in their first nine games of the league season, it’s clear that Leeds have missed Bamford since
his injury setback. The Whites managed to score eight goals in their first three games in the Premier League last season, with Bamford scoring in all of those outings against Liverpool, Fulham and Sheffield United. Leeds could count on the likes of Klich and Harrison to chip in with the odd goal last term but the pair have just one goal between them after nine league outings.
For a team still finding their way in the Premier League, in just their second campaign back at the head table of English football, the loss of Bamford has been hard to cover. The former Chelsea academy striker bagged an impressive 17 goals in the league last season and was pushing for a place in England’s Euro 2020 squad. Bamford missed out on the major tournament but has
since been rewarded for his form by manager Gareth Southgate with a first Three Lions cap against Andorra in September.
Leeds have long known Bamford’s importance to the side at Elland Road, and Bielsa will be hoping his side get a lift when their forward talisman returns from the sidelines