Patrick Bamford has shared that in a ‘strange’ way he has become a ‘better’ player without playing for Leeds, as he told Sky Sports.
It has been an injury-ravaged season for Bamford and one that has seen him have no zero luck on the injury front.
After being out for nearly two months, Bamford returned to action during Leeds’ 2-2 draw against Brentford last month and scored a stoppage-time equaliser.
But he then proceeded to injure his hamstring during his celebration and, as a result, has faced several more weeks on the sidelines.
During that period, the England international thinks he may have become more valuable to his club because of what they are missing out on.
“It’s strange,” said Bamford. “Sometimes when you are out injured, you actually become a better player the more you don’t play.
“It adds a little bit of pressure. When I came on against Brentford, I didn’t particularly play well. I was a bit rusty and out of touch with just playing.
“It will take a few weeks to get up to full speed. But certainly, it is strange that you can sometimes become better without playing.”
Not only have Bamford’s injury woes been problematic for his team in their relegation dogfight.
But it has also proved to be a setback for the player in his quest to break into England’s set-up.
After earning his maiden call by Gareth Southgate this season, Bamford has hardly been on the pitch to cement himself further into the Three Lions set-up.
But, luckily for him, there aren’t any international fixtures until March, so he has plenty more time to showcase his goalscoring talents.
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