Patrick Bamford is among the group of players most likely to stay at Leeds United beyond this summer.
That is according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, who name Bamford, Luke Ayling and Liam Cooper as some of the ‘likeliest’ players to still be around for next season.
There have been reports in recent weeks that Bamford’s future at Elland Road is uncertain following relegation, particularly given the way the season ended both for him personally, and the team.
Bamford ended up deactivating his Twitter account last month after the abuse he received in the wake of his crucial missed penalty in the 2-2 draw with Newcastle United in Leeds’ penultimate home match.
The 29-year-old also spurned a golden opportunity to net a late winner in the 1-1 draw with Leicester City in April and as such it had become unclear whether he would indeed stay at the club.
Bamford likely to stay despite last season’s troubles
Based on his injury troubles, struggle for form and having three years remaining on his contract, it is difficult to see what sort of interest would arrive in Bamford.
He spent almost the entirety of the 2021/22 campaign on the sidelines, and was in and out due to fitness concerns last term, meaning a return to his form in Leeds’ first season back in the Premier League hard to imagine.
That said, he could certainly prove to be a decent asset in the Championship, but he simply cannot be relied on to be Leeds’ leading marksman for another year.
Leeds must do all they can to bring in a marquee striker this summer, therefore allowing Bamford to play second fiddle from the bench, and start on occasions where rotation is required.
The inability to buy a striker to take the load off Bamford is arguably Leeds’ biggest mistake in the last few years and they cannot afford to make it again.
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