Marcelo Bielsa defends his decision not to start Leeds United duo together

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Leeds United will come up against their former player and current Charlton boss Lee Bowyer at the weekend.

Marcelo Bielsa has stated that Patrick Bamford has an ‘initial advantage’ over Eddie Nketiah because he has spent ‘more time’ with Leeds, has ‘more experience’ and is ‘older’ than his striker counterpart.

Arsenal loanee Nketiah, 20, is yet to start a Championship game for Bielsa’s side, with Bamford, 26, scoring four goals from his eight league starts this term [transfermarkt].

But during Leeds’ 1-1 draw with Derby last time out, Bamford missed a number of big chances for the home team, as the Championship leaders failed to capitalise on their dominance.

It has resulted in fans, and even the media, wanting Bielsa to start both Bamford and Nketiah together, but he defended his team selection and explained why Bamford is ahead of the currently benched star.

“Patrick gives things to the team Eddie can also give,” said Bielsa, as quoted by Leeds Live. “Patrick is a goal scorer, Eddie, as well. Their difference in style is not too big because both of them can fill the position with the same efficiency. Patrick’s initial advantage over Eddie is he has more time with us, more experience and he is older than Eddie.

“What you are talking about, this polemic is one of the things supporters like and the press like as well. If Bamford doesn’t play, you will ask why Nketiah does play, and if they both play you ask why Klich or Forshaw doesn’t play.

“It’s difficult to answer this polemic. This talk about different situations and that is fair and is nice. Sometimes, the reality offers space for this polemic. Sometimes this polemic is over reality. What nobody can complain about is winning.”

The main reason why fans are perhaps a little bit keen to see both Bamford and Nketiah start is that Leeds have struggled to make their dominance count ever since Bielsa walked through the doors.

Last season, there were a number of games – Sheffield United & Wigan at home, for instance, where they didn’t make their dominance count, and it seems as though they have carried that into this season.

Both Bamford and the now-departed Kemar Roofe were injured at the wrong moments last season, which didn’t give Bielsa enough of a chance to play them both at once, but he has that opportunity with his current strike duo.