When Marcelo Bielsa spoke ahead of Leeds United’s clash against Reading, he gave an update on Eddie Nketiah’s injury.
Nketiah, who is valued at £7.2 million (as per Transfermarkt), was recovering from a lower abdominal injury and is now close to his return to the first team. When speaking ahead of Tuesday nights match against Reading, Bielsa said: “Eddie Nketiah will work with the group next Thursday and we will see how it goes.”
The 20-year-old is yet to start in the Championship this season, however, Nketiah has played 10 times off the bench, managing to score three times in just 12 shots in total. Patrick Bamford has been the man keeping him out of the starting-11 this season, despite the 26-year-old going on a 10-game goal drought before scoring against Blackburn on 9th November. After scoring against Luton Town, Bamford has now scored six goals in 17 Championship matches this season.
Should Eddie Nketiah start over Patrick Bamford?
No
Yes
There have been rumours that due to the lack of game time the 20-year-old has received, he could be recalled by his parent club Arsenal. In the two League Cup games, Nketiah did start, he scored both times, which goes to show just how talented the young striker really is.
Verdict
Eddie Nketiah returning is very good news, however, he needs to be getting game time, otherwise, the only place he’ll be returning to is Arsenal and then likely loaned out to a rival. The rotation should be much fairer between Patrick Bamford and the 20-year-old, as right now Nketiah isn’t even being given a fair chance to prove himself.