Patrick Bamford returned from injury to score as Leeds United defeated Leicester City.
Leeds United manager Daniel Farke was quick to emphasise the importance of having Patrick Bamford on the pitch late in the game against Leicester City. The veteran striker came on as a second-half substitute and scored his sixth goal of the season by converting Daniel James’ free-kick.
“First and foremost, he’s a natural goal scorer.” “He has really good anticipation and instinct, and you can see a situation where it could be dangerous,” Farke said of Bamford after the game. The Leeds manager went on to say, “He’s blessed with this gift.” This is something that cannot be learned. Even when he’s on the pitch, you have the impression that he could be involved in a goal. It’s not an accident that he’s there and deflects this free kick; it’s a gift that he understands I need to be in this position to make things happen.”
While Crysencio Summerville, James, and Joel Piroe have led the goal-scoring charge this season, Bamford’s comeback could be key in the final stretch provided he can stay fit. The 30-year-old has the highest minutes per goal and shooting accuracy among Leeds’ top scorers, highlighting his value to the Whites.
He may not be playing as many minutes as in previous seasons, but the numbers show Bamford remains Leeds’ best player in terms of goal return per minute, which Farke will be well aware of as he considers his options in a busy week ahead that includes an FA Cup trip to Chelsea and a crucial Yorkshire derby against Huddersfield Town on Saturday lunchtime.
said: “It was great to have him back and he wasn’t capable to to play more than this 30 minutes because he was just one day on the training pitch with us after being out for two and a half weeks, but it was great for the whole group to have that experience on the pitch.”
