When Darren Bent spoke exclusively to Football Insider, he mentioned that Leeds United’s Patrick Bamford is likely to have a “new lease of life” after scoring against Luton Town.
He told Football Insider: “For that assist there, that was brilliant, Patrick Bamford scored the penalty last week and it’s given him a new lease of life and Leeds are heading in the right direction.”
Bamford was on a 10 game goal drought, but the 26-year-old has now scored in his last two matches, which were against Blackburn Rovers and Luton Town. This is the form Bent was referencing to when he made the “new lease of life” comment. The Englishman had started the season scoring four goals in six matches, but shortly after went on the 10 game drought, which appears to have been put behind him as of late.
The 26-year-old may think himself lucky to have not lost his place, but it seems that Marcelo Bielsa’s trust has now been rewarded. Bamford’s current form may be bad news for Eddie Nketiah, who is already struggling to get starts, with the 20-year-old failing to be in Bielsa’s starting XI all season in the Championship.
Verdict
Bielsa will be very happy to see that his gamble paid off, as his decision to keep Bamford in the starting XI ahead of a hungry and talented youngster in Nketiah was, perhaps, questionable at times when seeing the side he selected ahead of kick-offs. The two strikers could still play side by side, which would be a very interesting dynamic to watch, whilst it could also be very successful.
Bamford has now scored six times in 17 matches, which whilst it still isn’t great, at least he’s improving and that is likely enough for him to keep his place in Bielsa’s side.