Daniel Farke has reacted when asked if Leeds United star Patrick Bamford is happy at Elland Road right now, with the star yet to start a single game for the Whites this term under the German gaffer.
Bamford, 30, has featured in 14 of our last 15 Championship matches – missing only the win against Blackburn this month through illness. But the one-time England man has been a sub in all 14 matches.
The striker, who has failed to recreate his form from 2020-21 where he had a hand in 25 Premier League goals under Marcelo Bielsa, has remained fit – but is lacking game time. January is now approaching.
Farke, who gave his pre-Preston press conference following the win over Ipswich, was asked if he felt Bamford was happy at Leeds. The gaffer responded, as per the Evening Post, stating he thinks he is.
“You have to ask Patrick, I can just judge what I see. His attitude and behaviour on the training pitch is brilliant. So supportive, he talks with Georgie, Joel, Joffy to give some tips because of his experience.
“I have no signs he’s not happy. I know he’d prefer to start. Everyone must accept sometimes they’re not in the XI or like a couple of players, in the squad, if you want to be successful you need competition.”
Daniel Farke responds when asked if Patrick Bamford is happy
Farke recently spoke about the £10m man’s lack of game time, admitting he has sympathy for Bamford but also that many injuries can take their toll on a player’s body. Bamford is not the player he once was.
But in the midst of a busy Christmas period, one would expect Bamford to get plenty of game time and possibly even start one of the games over the next fortnight. Maybe, vs Peterborough in the FA Cup.
However, if Joel Piroe and Georgie Rutter are fit – you’d firmly believe that they will start. Preston on Boxing Day, a trip to West Brom on the 29th and then Wayne Rooney’s Birmingham on New Year’s Day.
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