Willy Gnonto has chosen one of his Leeds United teammates as someone who he believes will improve the team.
Gnonto has reestablished himself as a major player for Leeds, scoring six goals in his last nine league outings after struggling in the first part of the season.
Leeds have won 12 of their previous 13 Championship games, which has forced Daniel Farke to make a few changes to his starting lineup.
Gnonto, Junior Firpo, and Ilia Gruev all joined the team in 2024 due to injuries to other players, while Patrick Bamford has not looked back since replacing Joel Piroe in attack.
Bamford only made his first start of the season on New Year’s Day, but he has seven goals in ten appearances, and it is no wonder that Leeds’ form has improved with him leading the line.
Gnonto believes Leeds are a superior team when Bamford starts.
Georginio Rutter may now play in a somewhat deeper role, with Crysencio Summerville, Dan James, and Gnonto playing just off him.
It is normally the three players behind the striker who make headlines for their skills, goals, and assists, but on the most recent episode of the Official Leeds United Podcast, Gnonto claims that Bamford’s position in the club is vastly underestimated.
He said, “I think Pat doesn’t always get the credit he deserves.” He plays a significant part in how we play. You don’t see him very often, but he gives balls to everyone else, opens spaces, runs in the deep, and channels.
“He’s constantly up there fighting for us, and I believe we play better with players like myself, Cree, and Dan. We play better when there is a big person fighting in the middle.”
Bamford has turned Leeds’ career around since his comeback.
Rewinding to that night at Stoke City, Bamford’s Leeds career appeared to be gone, but it is astonishing how he has overcome adversity to turn things around.
Clearly, a goal was all he needed, and he hasn’t looked back since scoring against Birmingham City on New Year’s Day.
Bamford feels like a far better fit in the team than Piroe because he possesses the traits of a natural number nine, and Farke’s faith in him when no one else did has certainly paid off.
Leigh Bromby stated a few months ago that Leeds would be promoted if Bamford scored double figures between then and the end of the season, and he is extremely close to doing so.
