Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Leeds Live
Leeds Live
Sport
Sean McCormick

Ian Wright makes Marcelo Bielsa claim when assessing Patrick Bamford's Leeds United struggles

Patrick Bamford's injury struggles at Leeds United are a direct consequence of the rigours of Marcelo Bielsa's intense regime during his time at Elland Road.

That is the view of former Arsenal and England forward Ian Wright, who believes Bielsa's three-and-a-half years in charge of the club has taken a 'toll on his body'.

Bamford's fortunes were transformed under Bielsa's tutelage, as his 16-goal haul helped the Whites seal promotion from the Championship in 2020.

READ MORE: Andrea Radrizzani leaves more questions than answers after breaking Leeds United silence

The 29-year-old carried on that form in his first season in the Premier League, as his 17 goals helped fire Leeds and Bielsa to a top half finish on their return to the top flight.

That form even earned Bamford his first England cap, but he then badly struggled with injuries in the following season - making just nine Premier League appearances.

That season, Bielsa lost his job, and Leeds just about avoided relegation on the final day under Jesse Marsch. Bamford has played more this season, but his campaign has still been plagued by injuries as he managed just four goals this term.

And Wright feels Bamford's fitness concerns, and lack of goals, hurt Leeds as they suffered relegation from the Premier League, claiming the Whites were too over-reliant on him.

“Patrick Bamford’s form, with such a reliance on a striker like Patrick Bamford with his injuries," Wright told his Wrighty's House podcast.

“I think [Marcelo] Bielsa’s time took a toll on his body.”

READ NEXT

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.