Leeds United players, including Patrick Bamford, are back for pre-season training this week after two months without football.
Daniel Farke and the 49ers are hoping to maintain and consolidate Leeds United’s position in the Premier League, but there is still work to do to ensure they are ready.
The striker department is one area of concern and Bamford’s future has been called into question. That said, Bamford believes Leeds can survive relegation and he evidently wants to be a part of it.
Bamford’s wages have increased since promotion as well, meaning he is a big financial burden for a player not featuring regularly. It’s why Bamford has had to deal with criticism from Leeds fans.
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Patrick Bamford looks incredible in pre-season footage
17 Premier League goal-hauls are a thing of the past and the 31-year-old is unlikely to be anything more than third-choice in the top flight — that’s if he remains at the club.
However, that is what happened the last time Leeds were promoted, with Bamford earning England call-ups off the back of his impressive campaign under Marcelo Bielsa.
Now, Leeds fans are wondering if Bamford could get back to his best in an unexpected turn. Following Sam Byram’s contract announcement, footage has emerged of a powerful looking Bamford.
The original post read: “It is good to see Pat Bamford taking PL physicality seriously. Really give it his all this summer. I pray for a remontada, but know in my heart it’s probably not gonna happen.”
Fans are excited, with another remarking: “I fancy his as a bit of an asset. He’s a smart footballer and brains go a long way in the premier league.”
Another said: “world cup charge is actually so on.”
A further Leeds response read: “it ain’t over just yet!!”
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Patrick Bamford’s Leeds future remains uncertain, here’s why
Bamford has officially entered the final 12 months of his contract with the club; that — combined with the fact Leeds have Joel Piroe, Lukas Nmecha, and Mateo Joseph — shows why his place in the pecking order continues to drop.
Given his age and the fact he is injury-prone, Bamford is evidently not the same player he once was. The answer to the post-Leeds question could therefore lie Stateside.
Earlier in the summer, Bamford revealed he wants to play in the MLS one day, saying: “It is something that I would be open to, yeah. We [Bamford and his family] just don’t know when yet.”
It depends on whether offers come in, of course, but if Bamford were to offer himself about the MLS then he’d surely find a home, and it could be a home where he proves prolific for years to come as his career winds down.
Leeds’ number-nine turns 32 in September, but his pre-season training points towards a player looking for one last Premier League dance.
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