Leeds United Blogsville

Opinion: Marcelo Bielsa’s trusted man just isn’t good enough for Leeds United

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Leeds fans have got some sublime players that can call upon to perform for them on a week by week basis, and they’re certainly expected to be finishing the 2019/20 season right up there amongst the top clubs in the division and fighting for promotion.

However, that will certainly be easier said than done, and if they are to make it back to the Premier League, Patrick Bamford certainly isn’t good enough to lead the line for them in the top flight, he’s barely good enough to be starting for them now.

The former Chelsea striker has been below par for the club this season. In his 15 games for the club so far in the Championship, he’s delivered just four goals, only one more than loanee Eddie Nketiah, despite the fact he’s played 1124 minutes compared to Nketiah’s 265.

Having Bamford leading the line makes the Whites significantly weaker. Last season, Marcelo Bielsa had Kemar Roofe as the main man going forward, scoring goals and creating chances for teammates, and he did a much better job than Bamford has been doing this season.

When comparing Roofe’s stats from 2018/19 to Bamford’s from 2019/20, the differences are telling. Roofe averaged more key passes, dribbles and passes per game than Bamford is currently managing, and when defending from the front Roofe’s also managing more tackles and interceptions per match than the current Leeds man.

Is Patrick Bamford good enough for Leeds United?

No way

Yes, he just needs more time

Whether or not Bamford can help the Whites win promotion this season is yet to be seen, but even if he can help them do that, the chances are that he won’t be able to cut it in the Premier League given how he’s struggled to find the net in a consistent basis in the second tier.

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