Leeds United assistant manager Rene Maric said on Wednesday night after our defeat to Wolves in the Carabao Cup – as per Leeds Live – that Patrick Bamford could be fit to play against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday afternoon.
Bamford, 29, has been in and out of the Leeds squad this season – after managing just 10 appearances last season. This term, he has been able to equal that amount of games already, although, only four of those have been from the start.
The England international was missing from Saturday’s comeback win over Bournemouth. That, after coming off the bench against Liverpool and playing a part in the winner at Anfield. He was also missing on Wednesday night.
The latter might have just been simply because first-team stars were being rested. All eyes are now on Saturday, with Leeds taking on Tottenham – our last game before the World Cup break. Maric gave a new update on Bamford.
“We’re seeing how it develops, but for Patrick, we have a chance he might be ready on the weekend. We hope that he will be ready. Everything else is small, day by day, except those who are obviously out because of long-term injuries.”
MORE LEEDS STORIES
Leeds assistant Maric: Bamford could be fit against Tottenham
But is Bamford’s fitness really as important as it was during the 2020-21 season, when he had a hand in 25 goals in the Premier League? Or as important as he was deemed, when missing for the majority of the 2021-22 season?
Probably not. Rodrigo is on fire. While some of his hold-up play can be questioned, he has seven Premier League goals this term. Three in his last three. His form has even seen him touted with a Spain call-up for the World Cup.
Bamford’s importance is not what it once was. Even if he is fit to play, he will be on the bench behind Rodrigo. Of course, he remains a crucial part of the side but if injury-free, he is no longer one of the first names on the team sheet.
