Leeds United have had an impressive start to their first Premier League season in 16 years. Marcelo Bielsa’s side have won three and drawn one of their first six games.
One of the biggest concerns Leeds supporters had at the start of their season surrounded the centre-forward position. Patrick Bamford has been Leeds’ number one striker for a while but many felt he would find it difficult to get goals in the Premier League.
The former Chelsea man, however, has certainly silenced his doubters. Bamford has six goals and two assists in six starts for Leeds this season. That includes a sensational hat-trick against Aston Villa – a game many expected Bielsa’s side to struggle in.
Bamford’s form has limited big-money summer signing Rodrigo to just three starts in the league. The former Chelsea man has received a ton of plaudits for his performances but a former teammate of his has revealed how he managed to secure a move to Elland Road.
Rudy Gestede, Bamford’s former strike partner at Middlesbrough, spoke to So Foot about his first impressions of the Englishman. He claimed the Leeds star had all the qualities but lacked then what he has now – confidence.
Gestede said: “(Bamford is) someone who has a lot of qualities. But he was a little weird, he was capable of both the best and the worst – hitting in the top corner at an impossible angle and losing the ball on a shin control or a dribble.
“We knew he had some magic moves – but the confidence wasn’t necessarily there.”
Gestede claims Bamford’s luck changed when his side was relegated to the Championship and Aitor Karanka was sacked.
He said: “(Bamford is) someone who needs to feel the love of the coach. (At Middlesbrough) he felt he was the strong man. In his first match, he scored twice. The second, a hat-trick. He continued thereafter, and he earned his transfer to Leeds.”
Bamford may be a bit of a late bloomer but the most important thing is he is performing now. The former Chelsea man will look to add to his tally tonight against Leicester. If he does, Leeds’ chances of a victory will increase considerably.
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