Mark Lawrenson says ‘talented’ Leeds United player has surprised him

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Mark Lawrenson has given his take on Leeds United striker Patrick Bamford on BBC Sport.

The former Liverpool defender and Preston North End fan has praised Bamford for his performances for Leeds in the Premier League.

Lawrenson has admitted that when he watched the 27-year-old striker in his younger days, he did not think that the former Chelsea and Nottingham Forest man would make it in the Premier League.

The former Republic of Ireland international told BBC Sport: “I used to go into Simon Grayson’s office when he was manager at Preston and speak to the opposing managers and coaches after games. Patrick was scoring a lot of goals in the Championship at that time and when his name came up, the consensus was at that level he looks a really good player but can he make the step up? No-one was too sure.

“Going from team to team on loan when he was at Chelsea probably helped him develop initially, but by the end it held him back. He has always had ability, but when I watched him when he was younger, he didn’t look like he was going to be quick enough at one stage to play in the Premier League.

“But he seems to have found half a yard of pace from somewhere, or at least it looks that way. That will be Bielsa, and the work he has done with him, of course. And Patrick is a talented player. He still misses a few, he always did, but his scoring ratio is good and for me he goes under the banner of ‘most improved’ because of the way he has worked on his game.”

Important player for Leeds United

Bamford has been superb for Leeds so far this season and is leading the line well for the promoted club in the Premier League.

According to WhoScored, the 27-year-old striker has scored seven goals and provided one assist in 10 Premier League games for the Whites so far this season.

During the 2019-20 campaign, the Englishman scored 16 goals and gave two assists in 45 Championship games, according to WhoScored.

True, Bamford does miss chances, like the one against Leicester City, but all strikers miss chances.

Bamford brings other attacking players into play, links up well with his teammates, creates space for his fellow attackers, and works hard for the team.