Jonathan Woodgate has claimed that Patrick Bamford will be a ‘massive’ player for Leeds United during the relegation run-in.
Leeds lost their first Premier League encounter under Jesse Marsch by going down 1-0 at Leicester City this afternoon.
Harvey Barnes struck midway through the second half to ensure that the American has suffered a disappointing first match since replacing Marcelo Bielsa.
However, there was promising footage in the form of Bamford.
The former Middlesbrough hitman, a £10 million signing in 2018, has been out injured since December.
But the 28-year-old was named on the bench this afternoon and although Marsch didn’t use him, the fact he was in the squad is a brilliant sign.
Woodgate told BBC Radio 5 Live Sport: “Patrick Bamford will be a massive help when he comes back. Kalvin Phillips is still to come back too. You are talking about two England internationals. If Bamford was in that team, they would score more goals.”
Intelligent
Indeed, this is intelligent management by Marsch.
You could argue what was the point of bringing him to the King Power if he didn’t plan on using him even once.
However, Leeds’ relegation battle was never going to be won or lost this afternoon, no matter the result.
United, who are only two points clear of the bottom three, have much bigger games on the horizon and that’s when Bamford could be an enormous help.
Remember, he was Leeds’ top goalscorer in the Premier League last season, netting almost 20 goals.
Woodgate is right – this is a massive advantage for the Whites over their relegation rivals.
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