Leeds United have been one of the stories of the Premier League so far.
After 16 years out of the big time, the Whites have come back with a bang.
Marcelo Bielsa’s side have won 10 points from a possible 18 and scored 12 goals in their first six Premier League matches back.
The Argentine’s brand of attacking football has certainly caught the eye among neutral fans, too.
One big reason for Leeds’ form at the moment is Patrick Bamford.
This time last year, the 27-year-old hitman only had four Championship goals to his name, but six goals in six top-flight games for Bamford illustrates that he’s loving life in the big time.
The former Middlesbrough marksman, a £10 million signing in 2018 [BBC Sport], netted a hat-trick in the 3-0 win away to Aston Villa in Leeds’ last game.
And former United boss Simon Grayson is witnessing a different player, arguing that last season he might not have even attempted to score any of the goals he managed at Villa Park.
He told LUTV: “I think scoring so early against Liverpool was a big boost for his confidence. Even last year he was getting in the right areas and just couldn’t finish certain chances. Some of the goals he scored the other night, this time last year he probably wouldn’t even have attempted those shots on target. Full credit to Patrick for his goals, the start he’s had.”
Indeed, full credit to Bamford.
Leeds threw the gaunlet down to him during the summer by spending £30 million – a club record – on Rodrigo from Valencia.
At the time it seemed like the Spaniard was being signed to replace Bamford in Bielsa’s starting XI, but the Englishman just will not be moved and from the Elland Road club’s perspective, long may it last.
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