Patrick Bamford has told BT Sport that there were days during Marcelo Bielsa’s reign at Leeds that he would want to argue the Argentine – but had to bite his lip. Bamford is one of many Bielsa transformed during his time at Leeds.
Bamford, 29, was one of Bielsa’s first signings when the ex-Bilbao gaffer arrived at Elland Road in 2018. He joined from Middlesbrough in 2018, and has since gone on to score 45 goals in 124 appearances for the Yorkshire side.
An England international, Bamford went from a Championship striker – to a proven Premier League forward. However, last season was frustrating for Bamford. He managed just 10 appearances, with injury taking it’s toll.
Now, Bamford is back – albeit intermittently. Before the international break, he scored a hat-trick for the 21’s in a 6-2 win over Southampton. Recalling his time under Bielsa, Bamford shared how his demands could prove too much.
“So demanding. I can’t lie. Some days you would want to argue with him. There’s days you can’t give everything as much as you want to, you’d get angry and bite your lip. He demanded so much from me, but it shows respect.”
Bamford: Had to bite lip during Bielsa’s reign at Leeds
Bamford’s description of Bielsa hits the nail on the head. To have a boss that is so, unerringly demanding must take it’s toll – mentally and physically. Victor Orta and Andrea Radrizzani have alluded to the mental toll on the players.
It explains why, in Bielsa’s final season at Leeds, that the players looked a shadow of what they had done in the two seasons prior. Blowing away the rest of the Championship, and then finishing in a lofty ninth in the Premier League.
The change came just in time, but Bielsa’s legacy will always live on. It has got the best out of Bamford and made him the player he is today – like Liam Cooper, Stuart Dallas, Jack Harrison, Luke Ayling and plenty of others.
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