Leeds United striker had a difficult first season at Elland Road.
Andrea Radrizzani’s first two summers in charge at Leeds have been very different.
2017 was a case of quantity over quality, and Leeds remain stuck with the likes of Caleb Ekuban, Pawel Cibicki and Jay-Roy Grot.
Last year saw a more top heavy approach, with Leeds spending £7 million on Patrick Bamford.
There was only one other deal Leeds paid for, the rest were loan moves.
While the loans did not really work out, Bamford’s didn’t either, which was a big shame.
Bamford suffered an injury in September which cost him more than three months of action. Upon returning, he was very inconsistent. The he missed a crucial play-off game due to a needless suspension.
Given the underwhelming return, it’s easy to see why owner Andrea Radrizzani would be reluctant to spend big again this summer.
He has already warned Leeds face a ‘difficult’ transfer window, in comments made to The Mail.
Now he has seen that a multi-million investment could have half his season wiped out by injury, or simply fail to produce, it’s obvious he would be less likely to gamble on another big name.
That’s a shame, because Leeds do need one or two top quality players to turn them into a promotion winning side. Instead it may be a return to a more ‘quantity’ driven recruitment programme.
Perhaps Bamford finally lives up to his fee next season. It might be Leeds’ best hope.
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