Speaking recently on Match of the Day, Alan Shearer criticised Patrick Bamford’s display in Leeds United’s loss against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.
Since joining Leeds from Middlesbrough in what was a £7.11 million deal back in 2018, Bamford has gone on to feature 89 times for the Whites, scoring 33 goals and providing eight assists along the way.
So far this season, the £13.5 million-rated 27-year-old has highly impressed over his 17 Premier League appearances for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, scoring 10 goals and providing two assists, as well as averaging a WhoScored match rating of 7.15 – ranking him as the club’s best performer in the top flight.
However, speaking on Saturday’s edition of Match of the Day, Shearer criticised the Leeds striker for his defending, or lack thereof, against the Tottenham corner that led to Alderweireld’s goal.
He said: “Leeds have also conceded more set-piece goals than anyone in the Premier League, so, if [Tottenham] get it right in [these] situations then they knew they were going to create. Bamford’s body position was all wrong there at the near post, he should be on the half-turn. He hasn’t got a clue what’s in and around him.”
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TIF Thoughts on Alan Shearer’s comments regarding Patrick Bamford’s performance…
While it is indeed true, in our opinion, that Bamford could have done slightly better in his defending of the near post for Alderweireld’s header, we feel it is perhaps a little harsh to single out the 27-year-old in particular for this event, as it is not exactly what he is on the pitch to do.
However, having said that, the forward did not exactly cover himself in glory in his display at the other end of the pitch either, as, despite having seven shots at goal in the fixture, Bamford left the game with no goals and a rather disappointing WhoScored match rating of just 6.41.