Leeds United cannot “trust” striker Patrick Bamford to stay fit enough to lead the line for them this season.
That’s the view of the club’s former goalkeeper Paul Robinson, who has been assessing the club’s striker options.
Bamford has been with the Whites since the summer of 2018 and started strongly at Elland Road, scoring 43 goals in his first 110 appearances in all competitions, including 17 goals in 38 outings during the 2020 Premier League campaign /21.
But since then, the one-time England international has struggled to stay fit, playing just 80 times since the start of the 2021/22 season, scoring 17 goals.
Bamford has played just three times so far this season and is yet to score as he returns to full form.
Could Leeds’ striker options derail their promotion bid?
In place of Bamford, Daniel Farke has entrusted the No.9 to Mateo Joseph, but while the young Spaniard has registered three assists, he has just one goal to his name in six Championship outings so far.
Leeds’ expectation this season is to gain promotion to the Premier League. The Yorkshire outfit currently sit sixth in the Championship table, but if there’s one thing that will trip them up, it’s their attacking options.
“Of course it’s a concern. The whole goal-scoring burden is on Mateo Joseph. Without Patrick Bamford, you’re looking at Joel Piroe, but he doesn’t usually play as a No.9,” Robinson said (via Leeds all over).
“Leeds are light in that area and you can’t rely on Bamford to be fit for a whole season. We’ve seen that before in recent seasons and it’s a big ask for Joseph.”
Top photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images
