Leeds United were held to a point with Derby this afternoon.
Marcelo Bielsa has revealed that he was tempted to pair Patrick Bamford and Eddie Nketiah up front during Leeds United’s 1-1 draw with Derby County this afternoon.
The Rams somehow escaped Elland Road with a point after a late equaliser from Chris Martin nullified an own goal from Max Lowe in the first half.
Leeds had numerous gilt-edged chances to kill the game off – including with a missed penalty from Mateusz Klich during the second half – but Bielsa’s side lacked a killer instinct.
The United boss took off Bamford for Eddie Nketiah in the final 10 minutes, but the Arsenal loanee couldn’t replicate his heroics after scoring a late goal at Barnsley last weekend.
The two strikers are yet to play alongside one another this season and Bielsa admits that the thought entered his mind, but the Argentine coach worried about whether it would work.
He told Leeds Live: “When Nketiah came on I was thinking about removing Klich with Eddie and Bamford together, Bamford behind, but for this decision I have to be convinced. I am getting to know players like Nketiah. I need to know how I combine both of them.”
Leeds fans have been calling for Bamford and Nketiah together for a while and no doubt the sight of it would have excited the Elland Road faithful.
In the end, Bielsa decided against it, but going forward it’s something that he needs to consider.
This won’t be the last time that Leeds are struggling for a goal and there’s little to lose in this experiment, only a lot to gain.
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