Patrick Bamford warmed the bench on Saturday lunchtime for Leeds United against Huddersfield Town but his presence as a substitute saw him picked above attacking duo Joe Gelhardt and Mateo Joseph.
The 30-year-old has been making substitute outings since returning from injury but of course, earlier this week, he missed a penalty and opened the door for Stoke to go and win 1-0 at the Bet365 Stadium.
There is more than an argument to say that Bamford is past his best. His place in the Leeds side is only because of his name, and what he did in the 2020-21 Premier League campaign. No longer, at his best.
No shame in admitting that. Bamford has had a huge number of injuries since that season in which he starred with no fans in the grounds, under Marcelo Bielsa. Now, he is failing to offer what Leeds need.
Patrick Bamford now blocking progression of two Leeds talents
But what it does mean, is that he is in the way of both Joe Gelhardt – once described as “magic” by Alan Shearer – and Mateo Joseph, who as an England U21 international has enormous potential and promise.
On Saturday, Bamford was on the bench and both Gelhardt and Joseph were left out of the Leeds side. A decision needs to be made. Bamford still offers plenty, but is in the way of two who could offer more.
Come January, it might be a decision that Farke needs to make. Either, he lets Gelhardt and Joseph go on loan to get game time which they so desperately need – or, he looks at a possible sale for Bamford.
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